Grey Gardens the Broadway Musical
Ranked #9,038 in Music, #240,170 overall
Welcome to The Broadway Musical Grey Gardens
This ironic and slightly campy Broadway show tells the story of Edith Bouvier Beale (Little Edie) and her mother. The personalities and dreams of this mother and daughter were larger than life. The musical is named after the family estate in East Hampton.
Book by Doug Wright
Music by Scott Frankel
Lyrics by Michael Korie
Directed by Michael Greif
Book by Doug Wright
Music by Scott Frankel
Lyrics by Michael Korie
Directed by Michael Greif
Grey Gardens Original Cast Recording (Off Broadway) CD Cover
Who is Little Edie?
The Broadwaqy musical Grey Gardens showcases the eccentric personality and tragic story of the former debutante, Little Edie, who ended up living a reclusive life in the squalor of a decaying East Hampton estate called Grey Gardens. Her father was a lawyer and her mother was a classically trained singer. The family had many social connections and Jacqueline Bouvier (future wife of beloved American President John F. Kennedy and better known as "Jackie O") was her first cousin.
A young beauty, Little Edie began modeling at 17 years old. In order to care for her sick mother, she left New York City and a fairly successful career as a model, actress, and singer. She stayed at Grey Gardens and watched over her mother for over 20 years until her death. Little Edie's rich father had left mother and daughter with nothing but a paltry trust fund. Everything else went to the family that he had with his second wife. With nothing but broken dreams, the mansion and her life decayed all around her.
A young beauty, Little Edie began modeling at 17 years old. In order to care for her sick mother, she left New York City and a fairly successful career as a model, actress, and singer. She stayed at Grey Gardens and watched over her mother for over 20 years until her death. Little Edie's rich father had left mother and daughter with nothing but a paltry trust fund. Everything else went to the family that he had with his second wife. With nothing but broken dreams, the mansion and her life decayed all around her.
Grey Gardens 2007 Tony Award Performance
Christine Ebersole sings "The Revolutionary Costume For Today"
The Inspiration and Source for the Broadway Musical Grey Gardens
Grey Gardens the Documentary Film
The musical biography was inspired by the 1975 documentary, Grey Gardens, by Albert Maysles and Ellen Hovde. It quickly developed a cult following of adoring Edie fans. The film was prompted by the attention that was brought when the Health Department tried to evict the women from Grey Gardens because of the deplorable conditions. The estate was filled with trash and overrun with cats and wild raccoons. Before that happened, cousin Jackie came with a crew to clean and disinfect the home.
The Maysles' documentary shows the Beales' daily life amid the squalor and the strong but painful bonds between Little Edie and her mother. In the film they tell amusing stories about the past, talk about fighting the Health Department, and sing songs for the camera. Edie occasionally dances and proudly shows off her unusual, makeshift fashions which she refers to as "costumes".
A lot of the dialog and lyrics from the musical came directly or were adapted from this documentary. Here are some of the memorable quotes from this movie.
The Maysles' documentary shows the Beales' daily life amid the squalor and the strong but painful bonds between Little Edie and her mother. In the film they tell amusing stories about the past, talk about fighting the Health Department, and sing songs for the camera. Edie occasionally dances and proudly shows off her unusual, makeshift fashions which she refers to as "costumes".
A lot of the dialog and lyrics from the musical came directly or were adapted from this documentary. Here are some of the memorable quotes from this movie.
Grey Gardens Documentary DVD
Grey Gardens (The Criterion Collection)
Amazon Price: $16.90 (as of 02/16/2012)
The Maysles brothers' documentary about the Beales.
Christine Ebersole Gives a Double Performance in the Broadway Musical Grey Gardens.
The first act is set in 1941 and Christine Ebersole plays "Big Edie", the mother. She and "Little Edie" (played by Sara Gettelfinger) prepare for a big celebration. This is the height of the family's glory. It is a party meant to announce Little Edie's engagement to Joseph Kennedy, Jr.. Both mother and daughter experience painful disappointments by the end of the night. (These events are telescoped for dramatic purposes and didn't really happen on the same night)
The second act is set in the time of the documentary. Christine now plays a middle-aged Little Edie and Mary Louise Wilson plays her mother. It is this act that really is the heart of the show and Christine perfectly captures Little Edie's unique voice and mannerisms that are so recognizable from the documentary.
The double role is a great challenge for any actress. The moods, music, and characters are highly contrasted. The first act is classic light melodic Broadway in the style of Jerome Kern and Cole Porter. The second act has a more modern Sondheim inspired style and the material walks a fine balance between dark irony and camp.
The second act is set in the time of the documentary. Christine now plays a middle-aged Little Edie and Mary Louise Wilson plays her mother. It is this act that really is the heart of the show and Christine perfectly captures Little Edie's unique voice and mannerisms that are so recognizable from the documentary.
The double role is a great challenge for any actress. The moods, music, and characters are highly contrasted. The first act is classic light melodic Broadway in the style of Jerome Kern and Cole Porter. The second act has a more modern Sondheim inspired style and the material walks a fine balance between dark irony and camp.
Christine Ebersole sings "Around the World"
Interview with the Playwright of Broadway Musical Grey Gardens
New York Magazine
ON Stage: Interview with Michael Korie and Scott Frankel
The Lyricist and Composer for the Broadway Musical Grey Gardens
The Revolutionary Costume for Today
(Edie)
You fight City Hall with a Persian shawl
That used to hang on the bedroom wall,
Pinned under the chin, adorned with a pin
And pulled into a twist.
Lyric by Michael Korie
The Official Website of the Broadway Musical Grey Gardens
This official musical homepage is the best source for news and information about the play. There are also photos and video to look at. Listen to songs and download free stuff like desktop wallpaper and podcasts. Don't forget to check out the extras. They are fun.
Grey Gardens on NPR
Radio Feature about the Musical
Listen on the NPR site. You can also listen to several songs here and they include some good pictures on the page.
The Future of the Musical Grey Gardens
Before the show closed in July of 2007, there was talk of a possible national tour or a run in London. Neither has happened yet. In November and December 2007, there were mentions of a London run in the New York Post and Playbill. Scott Frankel and Christine Ebersole took a trip to London's West End at the end of 2007. Unfortunately nothing came of the plans. Currently the rights to the script and music have gone back to the creators - Doug Wright, Scott Frankel, and Michael Korie.
Sources:
Liz Smith at New York Post
Kenneth Jones at Playbill.com
Interview with Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise wilson
Central Actresses of the Broadway Musical Grey Gardens
Honors for the Broadway Musical Grey Gardens
Awards and Nominations
Awards
2007 Tony Award® Best Actress in a Musical - Christine Ebersole
2007 Tony Award® Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Mary Louise Wilson
2007 Tony Award® Best Costume Design of a Musical - Costume Design by William Ivey Long
2007 Theatre World Award - Erin Davie
Nominations
2007 Tony Award® Best Musical - Produced by East of Doheny, Staunch Entertainment, Randall L. Wreghitt, Mort Swinsky, Michael Alden, Edwin W. Schloss; Produced in association with Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford: Artistic Director, Leslie Marcus: Managing Director)
2007 Tony Award® Best Book of a Musical - Book by Doug Wright
2007 Tony Award® Best Original Score - Music by Scott Frankel; Lyrics by Michael Korie
2007 Tony Award® Best Direction of a Musical - Michael Greif
2007 Tony Award® Best Orchestrations - Bruce Coughlin
2007 Tony Award® Best Scenic Design of a Musical - Scenic Design by Allen Moyer
2007 Tony Award® Best Lighting Design of a Musical - Lighting Design by Peter Kaczorowski
2007 Tony Award® Best Actress in a Musical - Christine Ebersole
2007 Tony Award® Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Mary Louise Wilson
2007 Tony Award® Best Costume Design of a Musical - Costume Design by William Ivey Long
2007 Theatre World Award - Erin Davie
Nominations
2007 Tony Award® Best Musical - Produced by East of Doheny, Staunch Entertainment, Randall L. Wreghitt, Mort Swinsky, Michael Alden, Edwin W. Schloss; Produced in association with Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford: Artistic Director, Leslie Marcus: Managing Director)
2007 Tony Award® Best Book of a Musical - Book by Doug Wright
2007 Tony Award® Best Original Score - Music by Scott Frankel; Lyrics by Michael Korie
2007 Tony Award® Best Direction of a Musical - Michael Greif
2007 Tony Award® Best Orchestrations - Bruce Coughlin
2007 Tony Award® Best Scenic Design of a Musical - Scenic Design by Allen Moyer
2007 Tony Award® Best Lighting Design of a Musical - Lighting Design by Peter Kaczorowski
Original Broadway Cast Recording of the Musical Grey Gardens
Grey Gardens: Original Broadway Cast Recording
Amazon Price: $8.70 (as of 02/16/2012)
Original Broadway Cast Recording
Broadway Musical Grey Gardens Lyrics
Vote for Your Favorite Grey Gardens Song
Vote for the Song You Love
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Grey Gardens Memorabilia on eBay
Theater Lights, photo by ijsendoorn at Stock.xchng
The Cake I Had
(Edie) (Spoken)
I think the saddest thing was my not marrying.
During the war, my best friend, she was a nurse with the Red Cross... she met
somebody overseas in a hospital. A Marine.
Lost both of his legs at Iwo Jima.
Romance was inevitable, really, given the situation. But I couldn't travel.
Vote for the Best Grey Gardens Quote
taken from the lyrics
2
Have your cake and eat it!
Edith (Mother): I most certainly did have my cake more...1 point
3
They can get you in East Hampton
Edie: Honestly, they can get you in East Hampton f more...1 point
7
The full-length velvet glove
Edie: Then you can be with cousin Lee on Mr. Black more...0 points
8
Jerry can forget about it!
Edie: Tomcats! All of 'em! So you might as well te more...0 points
My Broadway Related Articles
Grey Gardens and Broadway Related Articles
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cffutah
Feb 2, 2012 @ 3:29 pm | delete
- For your creativity ... *blessed*
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SquidooBoo Apr 25, 2010 @ 4:55 pm | delete
- AWESOME!!!!
Grey Gardens is one of my all-time fave films and so I didn't know how I would feel about the musical... Of course, I LOVED it. Christine was brilliant. I have to admit, ad much as I love Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange, I was really, really disappointed that Christine Ebersole wasn't cast.
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ChapelHillFiddler
Jul 9, 2009 @ 5:28 am | delete
- Never saw the musical but was dazed by the movie and wrote about it in my blog, http://pratie.blogspot.com/2005/09/grey-gardens.html. Thanks for sharing this with us.
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Mar 24, 2009 @ 5:51 pm | delete
- Thank you for this. I am looking forward to seeing the movie with Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore. 5*
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vbright105
Dec 20, 2008 @ 8:13 am | delete
- I've not seen the documentary, but now would LOVE to! I can't enjoy the musical, but maybe I'll try to track down the documentary with Closed Captioning and get the book too! I love true historical stories. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information.
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cappuccino136
I am a freelance writer living in the magnificent Pacific Northwest. Formerly I taught ESL to adults in Korea and in the US. I have always expressed m... more »
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