Grey Gardens - Changes

[creasemouse]

Posted: 1/14/07 at 1:41pm

Hello.

I've recently got the GG CD and Wow. I'm in love with it. I've heard it's changed quite a bit since the recording was made and the show opened on Broadway

Could someone explain some of the changes for me ?

Many thanks

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 1/14/07 at 1:52pm

I didn't see it off-Broadway, so someone else can explain better, but aside from different songs, the ending is different.

The ending was happier off-Broadway. It's sadder, but better now.

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 1/14/07 at 2:18pm

I didn't see it off-Broadway, but I do have the recording and they cut 4 songs, added a few more. ("Toyland" was cut and replaced by "The Girl Who Has Everything", "Being Bouvier" was cut and replaced by "Marry Well," and "Better Fall Out of Love" was cut and replaced by "Goin' Places". The song "Tomorrow's Woman" was cut entirely.) The character of young Little Edie is played by a different actress and the first act is shorter.
This is my favorite show on Broadway right now-can't you tell?

[creasemouse]

Posted: 1/14/07 at 2:23pm

Thanks for your responses - Oww I love those songs. although i guess the new are just as good? tell the story better?

Any chance of a new recording?

I hope London gets to see this show real soon. But im still waiting for the Frogs, Light in the Piazza and 100's of others

[Jellylorum]

Posted: 1/14/07 at 2:25pm

I hope there will be a new recording too, though I don't know if there will be one. I'd love to have the new songs.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/14/07 at 2:26pm

The beginning is different as well, then the CD.

There's also a song THE TELEGRAM, to the tune of MOTHER, DARLING.

"A new Broadway cast recording is being considered, the producers announced."

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/104884.html

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 1/14/07 at 2:27pm

I bet they'll do a new recording. It's so different from the original, and it's the Broadway version, that I think they'll give it a shot.

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 1/14/07 at 3:53pm

It actually isn't so different despite the few songs. Also, "the telegram" was off broadway as well. Instead of it being just Little Edie reading it, Edith grabs the letter and reads it as well. They split the song up between both of them, whereas now Edith has already read it and only Edie sings the telegram. I would love a new C.D. but I don't know if it is all completely necessary. Definitely my favorite show on bway right now.

[gumbo2]

Posted: 1/14/07 at 4:56pm

I like the new song "Goin' Places" so much better than "Better Fall Out Of Love." That was one of the tunes I was humming at intermission (not at the end of the show because I was too sad to hum)

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/14/07 at 5:05pm

This thread may be of some assistance:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=919839

[Doogie]

Posted: 1/14/07 at 5:12pm

new (and MUCH better) lyrics for Young Little Edie in the Act 2 Choose To Be Happy.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 1/14/07 at 7:29pm

Also, the beginning of the show is longer (with older Big and Little Edie having a longer scene before the flashback). And they changed the perspective of Big Edie in Act 1. Off-Broadway she didn't know that her husband was going to Mexico to get a quickie divorce (hence why she also read the telegram with Little Edie). But on Broadway, they changed it so that she knew all along, dodging many topics that had to do with her husband.

Posted: 1/16/07 at 7:08am

i understand why they changed the ending & i agree that it makes better theater, but one reason i like dthe "happier" ending better was because Edie herself did *NOT* think of herself as a tragic figure

i also liked it better in Act 1 when the Edies read the telegram togetherm & when Big edie *ACCIDENTALLY* runs off Joe while boasting about Little Edie, rather than in the new version where she secretly reads Edie's telegram & then uses it as a weapon to hurt her, & *deliberatley* uses the story of the Maidstone Club to chase away Joe.

but thats just a personal thing; i dont like seeing the hand tipped against Big Edie so much. one of the things i love about the original film is sometimes you side with Little Edie, sometimes Big Edie, because you dont know the truth (tho TBOGG has thrown that balance off, by revealing Big Edie's deliberate cruelty to Little Edie).

im sure i think abut it all too much.