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Grey Gardens Reviews
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GREY GARDENS IS STILL "THE CAT'S MEOW!" Review by: Beth M, Sep 2, 2008 |
GREY GARDENS: WEST COAST PREMIERE
By Beth Mandelbaum, August 31,008
It was an enormous thrill to have been able to see one of my favorite musicals, Grey Gardens, while on vacation in San Francisco. This (to me) extraordinary musical is having its west coast premiere at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, about an hour’s drive south of San Francisco, during the period of my vacation. What a wonderful stroke of good fortune!... read more!
Much to my surprise and delight, I have to say that Grey Gardens holds up extremely well even without Christine Ebersole, whom I absolutely adored, which really was a revelation and a testimony to the power and high quality of this gem of a musical.
Beth Glover (who did a fantastic job as Lil in the Irish Repertory Theater’s production of the 1950’s musical Take Me Along) was absolutely wonderful as Big Edie in Act 1 and as Little Edie in the second act. She has a glorious voice and put her own personal stamp on these roles. And Dale Soules, who understudied and went on for Mary Louise Wilson on Broadway, offered a superb performance. Their chemistry (both positive and "negative") was terrific and Act 2 maintained its brilliance.
Act 1 was a bit less dramatic than it was on Broadway, though the intensity of the drama certainly built up as the act progressed. I think that this may have been due to the musical’s direction, because the entire supporting cast was quite good and the musical numbers in act 1 were extremely well done. Perhaps the actress who played Little Edie in Act 1 didn't have Erin Davies' edge and didn’t fully bring out Little Edie’s sense of off kilter unbalance, a foretelling of Little Edie’s strong personality quirks in the following act, though she was superb in the song “Daddy's Girl, and showed true desperation and offered a hint of Little Edie’s mental anguish in Act 2. The actor playing the young Joe Kennedy, while he was a perfect Jerry, didn’t appear to have the upper crust demeanor befitting a KENNEDY, BUT HAD A wonderful voice. Everyone in the supporting cast did good enough jobs, though I did miss Bob Stillman as Broadway’s George Gould Strong, Big Edie’s accompanist and “soul mate”, and John McMartin as Major Bouvier.
But despite whatever shortcomings there were in the first act, all was forgiven as a result of Beth Glover’s truly bone chilling rendition of the powerfully desperate, sad and ironic song, “Will You?,” one of my favorite Act 1 closers.
This production caused me to realize more than ever the extent to which Grey Garden is quite a sad show in so many ways. And Beth Glover, despite her many strengths and gifts, isn't a natural comedian the way Christine Ebersole played this role, and so, while she did a superb job in act 2, the story and characters didn't come across quite as funny as they did on Broadway which underlined the poignancy and tragic aspects of their lives all that much more.
The song “Jerry Likes My Corn”, sung by Dale Soules, was one of the most touching moments in the show, and she really brought out her need for male companionship, a “soul mate,” and attention in a way that really was wrenching.
And Beth Glover was brilliant in the song “Around The World,” and really brought out the aspects of Little Edie that brought attention to her mental "illness" and sense of being off-balanced--she seem almost “manic/depressive” in the way she changes from acute anger to the escapist dreaminess. I wasn't quite as aware of this aspect as strongly as it was brought out in this production.
And the pathos of the ending of this musical has always made me cry, and the Mountain production was no exception. Once again I walked out of the theater totally chocked up, with tears streaming down
my face, for me a definite indicator of a beautifully done and deeply moving production of Grey Gardens.
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You either like it or you don't Review by: theaterluvr, Jul 21, 2007 |
| Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise Wilson gave strong performances. Some of the music ("Revolutionary Costume") was memorable. The sets were great. The other actors were great. But as a show, it was eh. Very depressing. Act 1 and Act 2 were so different in tone from each other they might as well have been from two different plays. I actually liked Act 1 better; at least it was happy and uplifting. Act 2 is so depressing it is unbelievable. And ... read more the depression never lifts until the lights go up. I think this is one of those shows you either get or don't, and I don't. However, I am in the ideal audience (native New Yorker, quirky person, 70s buff, Kennedy buff) so I don't know why I didn't like it. But I didn't. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 3 |
The best show on Broadway. Review by: Anita, Jul 18, 2007 |
| I, too, think that Grey Gardens is the best show on Broadway today, and, frankly, for a very long time. The range of human emotions are at once heartwrenching and humorous. The actors' ability to convey these feelings to audience was nothing short of amazing. To see the triumph and tragedy that was the "Edies'" true life story played out right in front of us left me thinking about the play for weeks after I saw it, and wanting to know ... read more more about the Bouvier-Beales. The music was memorable, and the song "Another winter in a summer town," especially moving. But the real tragedy here is that people could be so short-sighted and come away from seeing Grey Gardens with their only comment being "They had a song dedicated to corn on the cob." Definitely beyond some "theatergoers" comprehension, the ones that should stick with "The Lion King" and "Mary Poppins." |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 4 |
Wake UP Review by: Dylan, Jul 16, 2007 |
It is amazing to me that people who call themselves 'theatergoers' are so ignorant. The reviewer below goes to the NYC and London theatre once a year to "catch all the latest shows" and yet obviously has no idea what a great show looks and feels like. Stick to Mary Poppins and Wicked because this BRILLIANT production is obviously beyond your comprehension.
It is truly depressing that shows with the intelligence and nuance of a sitcom stay ... read more on Broadway forever, whereas truly GREAT productions like this one struggle to stay alive. Grey Gardens is easily the best show on a New York stage this year, with two towering performances to be remembered for the ages. And it closes at the end of this month. SEE IT! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 5 |
worst show on broadway Review by: sweet27, Jul 15, 2007 |
| I go to both New York and London once a year to catch all the latest shows, so I have seen my fair share, and i must admit this is the second worst show I've every seen. Though the talent is fine, the content of the show and story is absurd. They had a song dedicated to corn on the cob...need I say more? |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 6 |
Disappointing experience Review by: JW, Jul 11, 2007 |
Excellent sets, insightful performances--but this show ultimately fails. Several reviewers at this site have noted that this show may have worked better as a
non-musical. Perhaps. The songs, however, do serve a purpose. They allow the characters (especially Little Edie)to reveal their inner feelings while alone on stage. After all, the two main characters are recluses, basically addressing only each other the entire second act. The problem ... read more though is that most of the songs are unmemorable; worse, no sooner is one song completed than another one begins, in effect, hindering whatever drama there is in the second act story line. As for the first act, I nearly fell asleep--it's that slow. And for a show which is based on fact, how much of the first act is actually true? Very disappointing.
As a sidebar, I also find it annoying the manner in which this show has been recently marketed. In the show's press release (printed at the top of this page) it states "the musical tells the alternatively hilarious and heartbreaking story of two indomitable individuals". However, recent print ads for the show resemble sensational tabloid sheets appearing to ridicule the individuals rather than humanizing them. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 7 |
wow,.. sad to see it go... Review by: rok, Jul 5, 2007 |
| wow,...so sad to see Grey Gardens is being canned. I saw it a year ago before it was off-off Broadway and thought everything about it was brilliant. When I saw it was coming to Broadway I thought, "how perceptive". The acting, the sets, the choreography within the set, and the acting (again!)was very well done. I immediately went home to get the documentary off NETFLIXs. It showed me how fantastic Ebersol's preformance was. So sad more ... read more people could not get a chance to see this honest production - no sugar with this coffee just pure black! Thank you to those individuals responsible for bringing this production to the stage. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Adults
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| 8 |
Save your time and money! Review by: Ken, Jul 3, 2007 |
When I see a musical, I expect to leave uplifted, entertained and humming the tunes from the show. This was not the case for Grey Gardens.
Although the performances were extraordinary, the story was weak and the songs were terrible. My first thought after leaving this show was "family sucks". A manipulative mother, an absent father, a rigid grandfather and a dutiful daughter combine to remind me of a Chinese dinner: it's good, just not ... read more filling. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 9 |
Review by: TopHat143, Jul 2, 2007 |
| Saw Grey Gardens a month ago and only posting my review today because i found out that it's closing on July 29th. What a shame? Grey Gardens not only features two of the best performances i've ever seen on Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise Wilson, but the songs are so haunting and beautiful. The entire cast and production is first rate! I've seen the documentary and it helped me undertand the show even more, but YOU NEED NOT SEE THE DOCUMENTARY ... read more to undertand and appreciate how powerful the show is! I urge people to see this production before it closes and to admire the performances each actors convey. It's funny, sad, thoughtprovoking and just plain brilliant! |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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| 10 |
Stunning! Review by: Staunch, Jul 2, 2007 |
Brilliant. Glad I saw it before it closed.
And to all the people who "didn't get it" I hear you can still grab half off tickets to Beauty and the Beast. Then hop on the next train back to Palookaville and stay outta NYC. This is a magnificent show for people who "get it." |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Adults
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Absolutely amazing! Review by: thelastmidnight, Jul 1, 2007 |
| I was simply blown away by this show. Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise Wilson gave two of the most gorgeous performances I have ever seen. If you haven't seen Grey Gardens yet, you need to see it! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 12 |
TOUCHING AND UNFORGETTABLE, DON'T MISS THIS AMAZING SHOW!!! Review by: theaterguy, Jun 29, 2007 |
"Grey Gardens" is one of the most spectaculary, brilliant and movingly unforgettable times you will ever have in the theater. Most of my audience were tearing up and on their feet applauding for at least two minutes at the end of the performance.
Christine Ebersole is completely astonishing in this show and gives a performance that will live in history right along side Ethel Merman in Gypsy, Hugh Jackman in The Boy From ... read more Oz and Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard. It really has to be seen to be believed.
GREY GARDENS also has some of the most memorable new theater music to hit Broadway in the last 20 years -- "Will You?', "Around the World" and "Another Winter in a Summer Town" are simply exquisite.
This is a rare, intelligent and intense show everyone should see and I honestly can't recommend stronly enough.
It ain't OKLAHOMA or 42nd STREET -- it's better!!!
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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BORING WASTE! Review by: FRANKIE B, Jun 26, 2007 |
HATED IT, but I can easily tell you why.
Christine Ebersole was unknown to me, so I judged her entirely on her performance, not on reputation. I thought she sleepwalked through a shallow and boring role in a show that sounded interesting but amounted to nothing much. Try, for example, to name one song from the show 5 minutes after the curtain falls.
Contrast this with the audience response: Many simply went nuts --- wild ... read more screaching applause --- with Ms Ebersole's every word and gesture. It was similar to the insane shreaking at a Barry Manilow show. I've seen maybe 50 Broadway shows the past few years; never encountered such nonsense before.
Think about it: Two aging women living like pigs in an old mansion with 50 cats. They eat, sleep, etc. Whoop de do! |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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hated it Review by: schubeda, Jun 25, 2007 |
I hated this show.
The audience loved it and I know it won some awards...but I just did not like it at all...
I'm actually confused how people liked it so much and I was bored the entire show. They got a huge standing ovation! I see almost every show that's out there...I'm actually confused by my disappiontment. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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Recommended for:
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Grey Gardens was anything but Grey for me !! Review by: Nico , Jun 23, 2007 |
| I loved this show so much I saw it twice. Ms Ebersole and Ms Wilson are so amazing. I saw it in early Novemeber before I saw the documentary. After seeing the documentary I got the chance to see it again. Such powerfull performances and great music to boot. This is an old fashioned musical. I loved it from start to finish. Go see it!!! You wont be sorry. See the documentary first and it will really knock your socks off. LOVED THIS ONE !!... read more!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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