Grey Gardens Enhances Kennedy-Bouvier Legend
Addison's Watertower Theatre Almost Better Than Broadway Production
Oct 16, 2009
The Kennedy legend just seems to go on ... and on ... with Grey Gardens, thanks to the 2007 Broadway production, this year's HBO film of the same name, the 1972 Sayles documentary, and now, a new production at Addison's Watertower Theater.
The Story
The tragic story of the Beales – known as "Big Edie" and "LIttle Edie" – is the stuff great soap operas are made of, complete with pathos, death, divorce, adultery and even a bit of humor. On the surface, this is a traditional musical in two acts. The first act is breezy, with lots of tunes and witty lyrics. The music by Scott Frankel and Michael Korie, with lyrics by Doug Wright, soars with imagination, all the while telling the story of a nuclear family of misfits. LIghthearted fare gives way to more serious topics with a clincher of a closing first-act number, "Will You?"
Act two puts the action some 30 years later in the early 1970s, with Big Edie on the brink of dementia, Little Edie in complete denial and the "house." In many ways, the "house" is the main character, with the players surrounding it. The audience soon learns how selfishness gave way to tragedy when the elder and younger Beale find themselves alone and forgotten. This can't end well for anyone.
Kennedy References
The tie-in with Kennedy is in the name of the family itself. Big Edie's maiden name was Bouvier - yes, that Bouvier – whose niece married John Kennedy. In the real life story, Jackie Kennedy stepped in to help her aunt and cousin clean up the house, albeit temporarily, so the two Beales would not be kicked to the curb because the house was unsafe to inhabit. The HBO version showcased Jackie quite well; the stage version omits her completely from the second act, but she appears in Act One as a child. After all, it was the early '40s.
Grey Gardens is, in its whole, a great history lesson amidst a terrible, mostly self-centered, family. America has always thrived on anything or any matter related to the Kennedys, and Grey Gardens is no exception. Today, more than 45 years after Kennedy's assassination, the public remains fascinated on the comings and goings of American royalty. Most historians will agree, as well, that there really hasn't been a dynasty akin to the Kennedys since John Kennedy was in office. A review of Senator Edward Kennedy's death illustrates the dynamic impact this family had (and still has) on our culture.
Grey Gardens is a great theater piece, but also a great commentary on our life and times. As with great literature, most quality plays and musicals can be dissected and studied for their historical contributions. Years from now, it's anyone's guess as to whether Grey Gardens will be revived, although it seems more likely it will fade into obscurity – much like the elder and younger Beale ladies.
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