A Present to Myself
Tomorrow is my birthday - so I have began celebrating this evening by taking myself to see "Grey Gardens" on Broadway. As my friends and family know, I love musicals, and this show did not disappoint.
It is the story of the Beales, a mother and daughter who were cousins of Jackie Kennedy (they were all Bouviers). A documentary of the same name was made about these two odd women in the mid '70s, and this show uses that movie as a launching point. It was very moving.
Christine Ebersole, who plays Big Edie (the mother) in the first act (set in the '40s), and Little Edie (the daughter) in the second act (set in the '70s) is spectacular. What an incredible range she plays in 2 1/2 hours! In the second act she seems to be channeling Little Edie - if you've seen the documentary you know what an eccentric character she is, and Ms. Ebersole has it down. We hear her singing in a beautiful voice most of the show - except when she doesn't, to great effect.
I had a student rush ticket, which for $26.50 put me on the first row of the side section of the orchestra - so I could see absolutely every detail, including the tears in Ms. Ebersole's eyes at the end of the show. Unfortunately the trumpet player was right below me, so the sound balance was off - but since I have listened to the Off-Broadway cast recording many, many times, I could fill in most of the words I missed.
It was another thoroughly satisfying evening of theatre - a great way to kick off the birthday celebration!
It is the story of the Beales, a mother and daughter who were cousins of Jackie Kennedy (they were all Bouviers). A documentary of the same name was made about these two odd women in the mid '70s, and this show uses that movie as a launching point. It was very moving.
Christine Ebersole, who plays Big Edie (the mother) in the first act (set in the '40s), and Little Edie (the daughter) in the second act (set in the '70s) is spectacular. What an incredible range she plays in 2 1/2 hours! In the second act she seems to be channeling Little Edie - if you've seen the documentary you know what an eccentric character she is, and Ms. Ebersole has it down. We hear her singing in a beautiful voice most of the show - except when she doesn't, to great effect.
I had a student rush ticket, which for $26.50 put me on the first row of the side section of the orchestra - so I could see absolutely every detail, including the tears in Ms. Ebersole's eyes at the end of the show. Unfortunately the trumpet player was right below me, so the sound balance was off - but since I have listened to the Off-Broadway cast recording many, many times, I could fill in most of the words I missed.
It was another thoroughly satisfying evening of theatre - a great way to kick off the birthday celebration!
posted by Sam | 11:10 PM
1 Comments:
Happy Birthday, baby!
Post a Comment
<< Home