Grey Gardens

So Last November, I decided that it would be a great time to visit Grey Gardens. I had bought a ticket to it while it was at Playwright's Horizon, but couldn't bear the rain anymore so I decided not to go thinking it wouldn't be that big of a deal. Oh, what little I did know.

"Somewhere in Athens, there's a pedastal missing it's statue." This is stated in beginning of the first act by George Gould Strong, I believe that he was talking about Christine Ebersole. There are really no words to describe Ebersole's performance. I think that all the critics have used up the words that even begin to describe what she does on the Walter Kerr Theater's stage. I am not even going to try.

I want to sit here and rant about Grey Gardens. I absolutely loved it, from the moment moment of Five Fifteen to Two Peas in a Pod. However, Erin Davies never really launches, the book isn't exactly astounding ( as much as I love Doug Wright), and there are really no catchy tunes in the first act. This is what I wrote in November, however, now that I have the soundtrack on non-stop repeat in my car 24/7 I am addicted to two numbers in the first act. I plan on revisitng the show sometime this spring to reconsider my thoughts on the book.

It is quotes though like, "That's Grey Gardens for you, those outside clammering to get in, and those inside dying to get out." -Gould that really make me question whether or not this book has some qualitiy to it.

The moment of the first act for me comes at the end of it, when Ebersole sings Will You?. The song is angelic, perfect and solidifies her performance in the first act.

While Act 1 is definitely the weaker act, Act 2 is pretty much amazing. Ebersole and Wilson take on the characters perfectly. Physically, emotionally, and vocally they are on key. My one complaint, and it may have just happened that night was that Wilson needed to carry her voice into the songs.

When the songs Around the World and Another Winter in a Summer Town take over the second act, it becomes so clear why Ebersole is considered to be so amazing in these roles. Her voice is divine. Once again though, I am going to stop myself before I start raving. Since it is almost to hard to describe.

I guess I should have just said this.

If you havent been to the Walter Kerr theater recently. You need to get your shit together, and get over there ASAP! This show exemplifies why America is the home of the musical and puts Ebersole right up there with Merman, Martin, Lansbury, and other.

Go. Seriously. www.telecharge.com