Grey Gardens: Original Broadway Cast Recording
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Free Music Notes for Grey Gardens: Original Broadway Cast Recording
Free Music Review: Fascinating musical makes for one of the year's best cast recordings
Hit: 5 Stars
I was debating between 4 and 5 stars for this recording of the new musical "Grey Gardens," and finally settled on 5. Not because the score has completely blown me away (though it's consistently enjoyable and of pretty high quality, which will probably only grow on me even more), but because as an album-- a cast recording-- this is a really satisfying experience.
I tend to judge cast recordings not just on the music, but on the level of craftsmanship and performance-- the acting, the orchestra, the snippets of dialogue included to give us a sense of the story, the mood, cohesiveness, etc. In other words, I prefer to come away with a feeling other than "those were some good songs." Like many collectors, I don't get to see every show for which I buy the recording, so my general philosophy is "the more the better." Keeping that in mind, this recording of "Grey Gardens" was obviously put together with great care, and all the little details add up to a great cast recording.
Plus, what an intriguing basis for a musical! Based on a true story, and expanded from the documentary of the same name, this is the story of Edie and Edith Bouvier, the cousin and aunt of Jackie Kennedy, who lived out their lives in a dilapidated mansion (the "Grey Gardens" of the title), misspending their wealth and social status to live in seclusion with "52 stray cats." It's a stranger than fiction story that is by turns funny, tragic, and touching. It's unique, smartly constructed (I like the way the general normality of Act I teases us with hints of the mother-daughter dysfunction and outright strangeness of Act II), and at 78 minutes, the recording is very full in a way that seems to be lacking of late. (I'm still a bit miffed at the 50 minute "Bernarda Alba"-- such a good score, but why not give us more on the disc?!)
Much has already been made of the performance of Christine Ebersole as both the older Edith in Act I and Edie in Act II, and she's great here, taking full advantage of those funny, tragic, and touching elements I mentioned. She's already won an off-Broadway award or two or three, so when the show moves to Broadway (which I believe is still the plan), I'm sure she'll be the Best Actress 2007 Tony Award winner. There is also fine supporting work by a strong cast, especially Mary Louise Wilson who takes over as the older Edith in Act II (Future Featured Actress winner, perhaps?).
And just when I thought I was getting sick of old fashioned sounding pastiche ("The Drowsy Chaperone" is back on the shelf where it'll probably stay for a long time), this one comes across as fresh-- not because of the way the music by Scott Frankel sounds (though don't get me wrong-- it's good, if not quite as distinctive as I'd like), but also because the music is used to tell such a weird, fascinating story with admirable skill (the strong lyrics are by Michael Korie). It all adds up to one of the best cast recordings of the year.
Note: this review was for the off-Broadway recording, which has since been supplanted by this Broadway version. This new one contains smart cuts and revisions, and is definitive. 5 stars.
Free Music Review: Evocative and Haunting....
Hit: 5 Stars
GREY GARDENS, the musical that won Christine Ebersole her second Tony, is a stunning achievement. It is not a musical you will be able to shake from your mind when after you listen to it.
How best to describe this musical? Well, it was inspired by the documentary of the same name about Jackie Onassis' eccentric relatives, her Aunt and cousin, both named Edie Beale. However, the musical take the documentary one step further by re-imagining what the Beales might have been like in their heyday, as well as why they might have ended the way they did.
So, as many are aware, there are two cast recordings of this fabulous musical. Both recordings were produced by PS Classics. I have both, and highly recommend getting both. However, if you can only afford one, or only want one, here is a summary of the differences between the shows.
The below lists the changes made for the BROADWAY cast album:
1. "Toyland" was replaced with "The Girl Who Has Everything" for the opening number.
2. "Beautiful Body Beale" and "Better Fall Out of Love" were replaced by "Goin' Places."
3. "Being Bouvier" and "Tomorrow's Women" were merged into the song "Marry Well."
4. "Miss Porter's Anthem" was dropped from "The Five Fifteen reprise."
5. "The Telegram," a song in the off-Broadway show, is included on the Broadway cast album.
6. The Sister Marla verse was changed in "Choose to Be Happy" reflecting the song changes in the Broadway version.
7. The "Peas in a Pod reprise" is dropped for a reprise of "The Girl Who Has Everything."
The booklets for both cds are essentially the same. The main difference is that the off-Broadway version has a small interview about how the creators came up with the show, and the Broadway version has more pictures (as well as the artwork/logos used to promote Broadway show).
The biggest difference between the two is in the casting. When the show transferred to Broadway, two of the cast members were replaced.
On the Off-Broadway version, Little Edie is played by Sara Gettelfinger. The role is taken over by Erin Davie on the Broadway version. Both sing the role equally well. Each has a different take on Little Edie. Sara sings in a more elegant and refined voice, however it is Erin that brings out and highlights Little Edie's eccentricities and quirks. Each in their own way prepare the listener for Christine Ebersole as Little Edie in Act Two.
The second change is that Audrey Twitchellm, who played Lee Bouvier, is replaced by Kelsey Fowler. Twitchell outgrew the role she had originated so was replaced by Fowler.
Warning: both versions of GREY GARDENS have the same cd number. So, be sure when you order you specify which version you want. The Off-Broadway version is said to be going out of print. However, it may be awhile before it actually does go out print, so be aware that you might have to email amazon.com if you don't recieve the version of the show you want.
Free Music Review: Grey Gardens is Magnificent
Hit: 5 Stars
Grey Gardens is a gorgeous, haunting show. The creators have worked feverishly to revamp the show for Broadway. The changes are quite extensive, as anyone familiar with the Playwrights Horizons version can attest. For example, the song list in the current version is considerably different from that on the CD, particularly in Act 1. The following songs are no longer in the show, at least when I saw it in October:
ACT 1
"Toyland"
"Body Beautiful Beale"
"Better Fall Out of Love"
"Being Bouvier"
"Mrs. Porter's Anthem"
"Tomorrow's Woman"
ACT 2
"Peas in a Pod" (reprise)
And the following songs have been added:
ACT 1
"The Girl Who Has Everything"
"Goin' Places"
"Marry Well"
All improvements, from where I sit. They've clarified the relationships and focused the dramatic tension by cutting out some extraneous numbers and recasting others in a more effective light. I doubt they'll release a new CD, but I do hope that they at least record the new numbers and release them on iTunes.
Act one is a very interesting and entertaining mix of old-fashioned musical comedy and modern-day drama. The story itself has a very modern feel, but the story-telling is like that of a Gershwin twenties show. It makes for a compelling and moving amalgam of sensibilities. There's something deliberately unsettled about the first act, as though it was designed to set you up for the emotional punch of the second act, which is exactly what it does: establish empathy for the characters to make the denouement all the more devastating.
The luminous Christine Ebersole is brilliant. She is intense, charming, and seemingly in control as Edith Bouvier Beale in Act 1, but later as Young Edie the seams have split, and we witness the ragged remains in Act 2. Mary Louise Wilson is equally effective in her second-act role as the older Edith. Overall, a pair of fascinating character studies, but also haunting and complex portraits of two unfinished lives.
The score is stunning, and reveals composer Scott Frankel and lyricist Michael Korie as a very promising team, indeed, perhaps our next Stephen Sondheims. Yes, it's really that good. Most of the stuff that remains from the Off-Broadway version is simply wonderful, particularly "Around the Word," "Will You?," "On the Five-Fifteen," "Mother Darling," "The Revolutionary Costume of Today," and what is quite possibly the most beautiful song written in the last 20 years, "Another Winter in a Summer Town."
See the show. Buy the CD.
Free Music Review: AN EXCITING NEW MUSICAL!
Hit: 5 Stars
As I get older, I am intrigued by what material some composers/librettists choose to musicalize. Yes, we're seeing a ton of recent books and films take the musical route, and some of them have worked: HAIRSPRAY was terrific, and I have heard great advance word on LEGALLY BLONDE. More often than not, it doesn't work, however. Anyone remember LESTAT?
I saw the film GREY GARDENS years ago and remember being haunted by it. I wouldn't have pegged it for musicalization, and I encourage anyone who buys the CD to read the fascinating liner notes explaining the show's evolution. As someone who teaches musical theatre, I found it a remarkable lesson.
No less remarkable is the show itself. The soundtrack has grabbed me and forced repeated listenings as few other shows have done in many years. Topped by a wondrous performance by Christine Ebersole, flanked by Mary Louise Wilson and Sara Gettelfinger (didn't she do that cool Texan cameo in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS?), the score sparkles with one good song after another, each one delineating the characters and evolving relationship of Edith and "Little Edie" Beale. I love how the Act I songs evoke 1940's standards but contain these bizarre flashes of rhythm that undercut our sense of comfort and foreshadow the craziness to follow. As pathetic as these women are, the lyrics can be wonderfully funny. "Hominy Grits" is hysterical and, due to its nature, can probably never be seen or heard outside the context of the show. "Daddy's Girl" shows that Gettelfinger can match Ebersole's emotional heights breakdown for breakdown.
Still, I'd give anything to be able to see Christine Ebersole perform this tour de force double role. The amazing way she shifts character to cover both mother and daughter (and the way Gettelfinger and Wilson's performances mirror hers so beautifully) must be a joy to behold. Every song in Act II is a gem, with "Around the World" perhaps being my favorite. (It keeps haunting me even when the CD is off, so I know I like it.)
I have enjoyed the CDS to DROWSY CHAPERONE and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS exceedingly. This one is perhaps the cream of the crop! To hear three good Broadway scores in just over a year may not sound like much, but it can't help but raise my hopes a little bit about the state of American musical theatre.
Free Music Review: Grey Gardens- The Best Musical of the Year
Hit: 5 Stars
I had heard many things about this musical, especially about Christine Ebersole's performance, and I was intrigued by the story, so I decided to get this cast recording. WOW. It's fantastic and a true gem. Every number shines with gorgeous music and lyrics, as well as the great performances. The score in the first act (which takes place in the 1940s) is very well done pastiche that both reminds you of the period you are in and moves the plot forward. The score of the second act (which takes place in the 1970s, after the manson has been run down) is decidely different, with the numbers being quirky songs for Little Edie and Big Edie, and it also includes some heartbreaking songs as well. However, in every song Scott Frankel (music) and Michael Korie (lyrics) deliever fully, and each song is phenomenal.
As is well known by now, Christine Ebersole gives a legendary performance as Edith, the mother, in the first act, and Little Edie, her adult daughter, in the second. Mary Louise Wilson is also top-notch as Edith in the second act, and gives a wonderful performance. The rest of the cast all do very well in their respectives roles as well.
The best tracks of the CD:
The Five-Fifteen (a fun company number to open the first act )
Peas in a Pod (a delightful deut for Edie and her mother)
Hominy Grits (a hilarious minstrel-show parody sung by Edith)
Daddy's Girl (nicely sung by Sara Gettelfinger)
Will You? (Edith's heartbreakng Act One closer)
The Revolutionary Costume for Today (Little Edie's hilarious Second Act opener)
The House We Live In (a very funny faux-patriotic number)
Jerry Likes My Corn (a sweet song about the small things Edith treasures in her old age)
Around the World (a beautiful ballad sung by Edie as she longs to be free)
Another Winter in a Summer Town (the sob-inducing eleven-o'clock number)
I recommend this CD for all lovers of the American musical theatre. Grey Gardens is he Best Musical of the Year and has spawned a great cast recording.