Grey Gardens Fades To Black Later This Month
Grey Gardens Fades To Black Later This Month
Call me blue.
I just learned that Grey Gardens will shutter on July 29 after its 307th performance. This was by far my favorite show from the 2006-07 Theatrical Season.
I just learned that Grey Gardens will shutter on July 29 after its 307th performance. This was by far my favorite show from the 2006-07 Theatrical Season.
The brilliant musical depiction of Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter "Little" Edie earned ten Tony nominations and took home three awards, including for the breathtaking performances offered by both Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise Wilson. Just last Thursday, it was announced that Wilson would be leaving the production when her contract expires -- also on July 29.
The box office hasn't been too shabby since the Tonys. While last week's capacity of 85.9% was down slightly, it's still a respectable number. In fact, its gross was actually up week over week to $465,615.
The looming question now is whether Grey Gardens can find greener pastures on the other side of the pond when the production transfers to London with Ebersole in tow sometime during the course of the new theatrical season.
If you haven't already had the opportunity to see Grey Gardens on Broadway, make sure you get there this month!
If you haven't already had the opportunity to see Grey Gardens on Broadway, make sure you get there this month!
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for tickets.
Related Stories:
SOB's Best Of 2006-07: Top Ten Of The Year (June 4, 2007)
SOB's Best Of 2006-07: Best New Musicals (May 22, 2007)
West End To Open New Gardens Of The Grey Variety (May 16, 2007)
Box Office: Theatregoers Don't Passover Broadway (April 9, 2007)
A Matter Of Taste (March 16, 2007)
Grey Gardens (The SOB Review) (February 25, 2007)
Grey Gardens Proves Fertile For Most Critics (November 3, 2006)
Time To Meet The Reaper: Grey Gardens Opens On Broadway (November 2, 2006)
Mary Poppins, Grey Gardens Tops Among SOB Readers (October 27, 2006)
Survey Says.... (October 23, 2006)
Which Broadway Musical Will Depart Next? (August 21, 2006)
Grey Gardens Moving to Broadway, Lest There Was Any Doubt (May 15, 2006)
Time To Meet The Reaper: Grey Gardens Opens On Broadway (November 2, 2006)
Mary Poppins, Grey Gardens Tops Among SOB Readers (October 27, 2006)
Survey Says.... (October 23, 2006)
Which Broadway Musical Will Depart Next? (August 21, 2006)
Grey Gardens Moving to Broadway, Lest There Was Any Doubt (May 15, 2006)
Labels: Broadway, Christine Ebersole, Closing Notices, Grey Gardens, Mary Louise Wilson, Musical
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Monday, July 02, 2007
9 Comments:
I was so surprised by this news. The show doesn't seem to be doing badly enough to warrant closing- particularly in the middle of tourist season. I'm confused.
Perhaps the producers simply feel that Mary Louise Wilson is irreplaceable?
Whew, I can't believe I lucked out! I'm going to see Grey Gardens Tuesday of closing week.
I know that Christine Ebersole has three young children and I've heard her say in interviews how difficult it is to be away from them for so long, with the demanding schedule of a Broadway show. The New York Times profile on her a few weeks ago mentioned how she stays overnight in New York for part of the week, and pretty much bolts out of the theater after the Sunday show so she can be home in New Jersey with them. So maybe she just wanted to spend more time with her family during part of the summer and needed a break before going to London.
Esther - Christine Ebersole's contract actually ran through this fall. I'm thrilled you'll be able to see her wondrous performance.
Amen SOB. I have my ticket for 7/29 then I'll run over to City Center and catch Patti's last Gypsy. It'll be one helluva a Diva Day.
When I heard that MLW was not renewing her contract, I thought it would be a matter of time. Rather than foot the bill to put in a replacement and market her, it just makes better business sense to close (unfortunately). As we know, Broadway is first a business, despite the unmeasured joy it brings to people who see a show or are even affected by cast recordings and television appearances.
Sarah, I agree with everything you've said. After all, as Debra Monk sings in Curtains, "It's a business!"
What a glorious Diva Day you have in store for yourself. WOW!
Post Script: This past week's box office figures are out for Grey Gardens and they show continued strength with a gross of $439,922 for an overall capacity of 82.0%.
With the closing notices posted, I would expect those who have put off seeing the show to boost the box office even further in the weeks ahead -- after all, even the terminally underrated Company eked out one of its best weeks ever during its final week by taking in $448,158 with a capacity of 83.7%.
Sorry to see this one go.
I was thinking the other day that Cloris Leachman would have made an interesting replacement for Miss Wilson.
Mondschein - That certainly would have been very inspired casting!
Post a Comment
<< Home