Grey Gardens - Two lives, one documentary, a musical and a movie

Grey Gardens (2009) on HBO
Production Design: Kalina Ivanov
Set Decorator: Norma Jean Sanders

So much has been said about the recent HBO production of Grey Gardens starring Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore that there is really very little I can add to the mix. However, not many have talked about the Tony award winning musical from 2006 of the same name. Starring the amazing Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise Wilson, this production lasted about 300 performances. It's a fine show and the scenic designer did an excellent job of capturing the original house from original glory to hell hole.

Scenic Design: Allen Moyer (Mr. Moyer received a Tony Award nomination for this production)

Early living room scene from the musical Gray Gardens. Note the accurate depiction of the woodwork in the front hall in the left backgound.


Scenes from the HBO Grey Gardens

The actual front foyer in 1985


Front porch of the real Grey Gardens
Scene from HBO movie

Scene from musical

Porch scene from the musical

Bedroom of the real Edith Beales

Bedroom from the HBO movie

Bedroom scene from the musical

And, some musical selections from the show:

Some fantastic resources (and with thanks to):

A Pictorial History of Grey Gardens at Cote de Texas
An interview with Kalina Ivanov at Casa Sugar
A personal connection at *Visual*Vamp*
A Capitivating Tale at La Dolce Vita
Grey Gardens News by Buster the Racoon