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Arts & Entertainment

'Grey Gardens' Grows into a Complex Musical

Chester Theatre Group presents a musical about two reclusive relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy.

Recluses who live in a dilapidated house and suffer from mental illness aren’t the stuff of which musicals are often made.

So you might think “Grey Gardens,” which is being presented by the Chester Theatre Group, is some sort of dreary affair. But one of the show’s directors says that’s not the case.

The musical, running at the Black River Playhouse from July 1 through July 24, is based on the 1975 documentary about a mother and daughter, both named Edith Beale. The older Edith (full name, Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale) was an aunt to Jacqueline Kennedy. The two women were both members of high society and ended up living in a rundown mansion in the Hamptons.

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It doesn’t exactly sound like a toe-tapper, but Jeffrey Fiorello, who’s co-directing the show, said “Grey Gardens” actually has a good bit of levity to it. That’s especially true of Act 1, which recreates the lives of the two Ediths during their salad days when they were happy and living well.

“Act 1 is treated very much like a traditional musical, there are happy songs, serious songs and some ballads,” Fiorello said. “It plays very much like an old-fashioned musical. Whereas act 2 is quite different and delves into the two women’s psyche and quite a bit more.”

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Fiorello said the first act is a fictionalized account of the Beales’ lives in the 1940s. The second is set in the 1970s, when they become shut-ins, and is pretty faithful to the movie of the same name (there's also a 2009 update), Fiorello said.

In casting the show, Chester Theatre Group followed the model used on Broadway by having the same actress play Edith in the first act and “Little Edie” in the second act. Christine Ebersole won a Tony for pulling the double duty on Broadway, and Barbara Haag will play the two roles in this production. Barbi McGuire plays the older Edith in the second act, and Sandy Taylor plays young “Little Edie” in the first act. The cast also includes Robert Jacobson, Alistair Williams, Thomas Cioppettini and Hannah Curtis as Jacqueline Bouvier.

Fiorello is co-directing “Grey Gardens” with Mark Happel, who’s also a board member at Chester Theatre Group. The two-director format came along because of both directors’ schedules.

“I’ve directed a couple of pieces for them and Mark has as well,” Fiorello said. “We’ve collaborated creatively on shows but we’ve never worked together as co-directors. Mark loves this show, possibly more than me, and when we were looking at doing it, everyone kind of assumed Mark would be directing it. Mark felt he was going to be a little too busy at this point of the year to take on the whole project by himself.”

The two-director format works, according to Fiorello, because the two acts are so different in tone. While both directors share input on both acts, Fiorello is predominantly responsible for the first act, and Happel is more involved in the second.

“We both chime in and make sure the show has a similar feel and that there’s continuity from act to act,” he said. “Mark and I are collaborating considerably on each other’s acts but there’s one point person for the cast to ask questions [for each act]. It’s worked quite well.”

Fiorello saw the show during its original off-Broadway run and again when it moved to Broadway. While he liked both versions, he said he preferred the intimacy offered by a smaller venue, making it a good fit for the 100-seat Black River Playhouse.

“You’re drawn in a little closer when you are as close in proximity as you are in Chester,” he said. “You feel almost like you’re sitting in their living room or sitting in the bedroom with them because at times you feel like you can reach out and touch the performers. It draws you into a piece that does have a lot of subtlety and a lot of nuance.”

Venue size can even affect the performances, he said, because audiences are more likely to notice details when they’re closer to the actors in a smaller setting.

“It’s almost cinematic in a sense, in that you see the actors’ smallest gestures, whereas that would be lost on a large proscenium stage on Broadway unless you were sitting really close,” he said.

He started working at Chester about seven years ago, acting in a production of “A Man of No Importance.” Fiorello said the theater is a special place and that the group distinguished itself by presenting shows that aren’t often done.

“It’s magical, the things that happen in that space,” he said. “They really do take care in producing their shows and making sure everything’s done in the right way.”

Chester Theatre Group will present “Grey Gardens” at the Black River Playhouse at the corner of Grove and Maple streets in Chester, July 1 through 24. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $24, or $22 for students. For information, call 908-879-7304 or go to ChesterTheatreGroup.org.

ON STAGE SCOOP

Season Awards at the Barn Theatre: honored the winners of its “Arthur” award and Board Award at the theater’s 83rd Season Recognition Night celebration on June 25. Best Production honors went to “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Scott Hart won Best Direction for “The Drowsy Chaperone.” There was a three-way tie for Best Performance by a Lead Actress: Katie Weigl for “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Lauren Grof-Tisza for “Little Women” and Alice Regan Moynahan for “Little Women.” “The Drowsy Chaperone” also won honors for Lead Actor (Patrick Horan), Featured Actress (Lynn Hart), Featured Actor (Michael Campbell), Set Design/Construction (Scott Hart and Michah Weiss), Set Décor (Laura Kennedy), Costumes (Janice Schopper), Properties (Sarah Wertheimer and Alli Hartley) and Makeup and Hair (Jessica Phelan). The cast of “Almost Maine” won Best Ensemble, Best Lighting and Best Sound. Awards were also given out for years of service.

Merry Wanderers of the Night:  is presenting annual outdoor show, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” through July 31. Performances are at the Greek amphitheater at the College of St. Elizabeth in Morris Township. The theater promotes the 90-minute production as being perfect for children and families of all ages. For tickets and information, call 973-408-5600 or go to ShakespeareNJ.org.

Get Dancing: , the Arts Council of the Morris Area and the United Methodist Church present their second annual Music Without Borders free summer outdoor lunchtime concert series on the Morristown Green. The series runs every other Wednesday through Aug. 3. Concerts run from noon to 1:30 p.m.  Next up is Chalgiya on July 6. The trio plays music from the Balkans on classic instrumentation of clarinet, sax, accordion and traditional drums, sharing the spirit of village dances and the flavor of urban café music of Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria and Albania. Go to MayoArts.org for more information.

Know Your Creatures: Reptile time is coming to  in Morris Township when “Snakes, Scales & Turtle Tales” takes stage on July 7. Featuring lizards such as the bearded dragon and leopard gecko, a box turtle and a Burmese python, kids will learn about what these creatures eat, how they live and if they make good pets. Performances will begin at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Recommended for kids ages 3 to 10. Tickets cost $12. Go to MorrisMuseum.org for tickets and information.

Audition Alert, “Kids’ Cabaret:” Brundage Park Playhouse will hold auditions for its “Kids’ Cabaret 2011—Love is All You Need” on July 5 and 6 from 7 to 10 p.m. Callbacks are scheduled for July 8 at 7 p.m. Directors Nicole Cupo and Kristen Tynan seek a cast of performers from 10 to 19 years of age. To audition, prepare a 32-bar cut of a song that showcases your voice, preferably of the musical theater genre. A group dance audition will also be required. Resumes and head shots are always helpful but not mandatory. No appointments are necessary. Auditions will be held at the Brundage Park Playhouse on Carrell Road in Randolph. For information, call 973-989-7092 or go to BrundageParkPlayouse.org.

Greek Tragedy: is presenting Shakespeare’s rarely produced “Timon of Athens,” July 6 through July 24 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison. This marks the first time the play has been presented during Bonnie J. Monte’s 21-year tenure as the theater’s artistic director. The 90-minute staging is adapted by Brian B. Crow (who also directs) and blends various theatrical styles to tell the story of Timon and his turn from innocence to despair. Tickets start at $32. For tickets, call 973-408-5600, go to ShakespeareNJ.org or e-mail boxoffice@shakespearenj.org.

Ramblin’ All the Way to Morristown: Dickey Betts and Great Southern will play a concert at  on July 6, 8 p.m. A founding member of the Allman Brothers Band and a legendary guitar player, Betts co-wrote and sang the group’s biggest hit “Ramblin’ Man” and helped define southern rock. Tickets cost $37 to $57. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Spanish Praise: Samuel Hernández will take stage at  for a July 9 concert starting at 8 p.m. The Christian Spanish singer will perform songs such as "Por Si No Hay Manaña,” that have earned him Latin Grammy and Latin Billboard nominations for Best Christian Album. Tickets cost $15 to $30. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Arabian Nights (and some matinees): Brundage Park Playhouse is staging “Disney’s Aladdin Jr.” at its playhouse on Carrell Road in Randolph, starting July 8 and continuing through July 23. The show is based on the classic Disney film and is the Playhouse’s By Kids For Kids production for this summer. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is an additional 8 p.m. performance on Thursday, July 14. For tickets and information, call 973-989-7092 or go to BrundageParkPlayouse.org.

Audition Alert, “Once Upon a Time:” Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake is hosting auditions for “Once Upon a Time” July 13 at 7 p.m. and July 16 at 1 p.m. The show consists of three musical fairy tales from Hans Christian Andersen. Adult and teen performers are sought. Performance dates are Sept. 10 through 24. Pax Amicus Castle Theatre is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake. Call 973-691-2100 or go to PaxAmicus.com for more information.

If the Slipper Fits: Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake is presenting “Cinderella,” through July 23. Performances are scheduled for the following dates: July 12 and 14 at 10 a.m., July 20 through 22 at 10 a.m.; and July 23 at 11 a.m. Tickets cost $12. Pax Amicus Castle Theatre is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake. For information, call 973-691-2100 or go to PaxAmicus.com.

Caustic Comedy: Denis Leary will brings his opinionated comedy style to on July 13 at 8 p.m. Leary’s official bio calls him a “five-time loser at the Academy Of Television Arts and Sciences’ annual Emmy Awards.” His nomination came for his work on “Rescue Me. He’s also been nominated for a Golden Globe. He is also the author of the book, “Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid.” Tickets cost $78 to $126. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Everybody Cut: Ridge Light Opera of New Jersey and the Bernards Township Department of Recreation are presenting “Footloose” at the outdoor amphitheater at Pleasant Valley Park on Valley Road, July 14 through 16 and 21 through 23 with performances at 8 p.m. Admission is free, donations are accepted. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating. Call 908-204-3003 for information.

Audition Alert, Musicals at the Women’s Theater Company: The Women’s Theater Company will hold auditions for the musicals “Romance, Romance” and “The Last Five Years” at the Parsippany Playhouse on July 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prepare a short song in the style of the musical you are auditioning for and a short monologue. Bring a picture and a resume, stapled together. Rehearsals will be during the day with some nights, 20 hours a week. “Romance, Romance” will be presented in September and October. “The Last Five Years” will be staged in March of 2012. The Playhouse is located at 1130 Knoll Road in Lake Hiawatha. E-mail info@womenstheater.org for an appointment.

Comedy Showcase Postponed: Dover Little Theatre’s Comedy Showcase has been postponed until July 15 and 16. Tickets cost $15 for this fundraiser for the Dover Little Theatre Building Fund. Call the box office at 973-328-9202 for tickets.

Audition Alert, “The Wars of the Roses: Henry VI, Part I:” The Shakespeare Initiative will hold auditions for its production of “The Wars of the Roses: Henry VI, Part I” at Brundage Park Playhouse in Randolph on July 18 and 20, 7 to 9 p.m. The play charts the origins of the bloody Wars of the Roses, and features the young Shakespeare’s portrayal of Joan of Arc. Auditioners are requested to prepare a Shakespearean monologue (it doesn’t have to be memorized). Since the production will be quite physical, a movement/stage combat section to the audition will also be conducted. Each auditioners should bring a headshot/snapshot (if available) and a theatrical resume. Appointments are not required. Auditioners should also be familiar with Shakespeare’s “Henry VI” cycle. Performances are Sept. 30 through Oct. 9. Auditions will be held at the Brundage Park Playhouse, Carrell Road, Randolph. A proposed character breakdown can be found here. For more information, e-mail to director@theshakespeareinitiative.org.

Get Your Tickets Early: Tickets for three September concerts at  are on sale now. Kenny Wayne Shepherd will perform on Sept. 9, Yo La Tengo will take stage on Sept. 24 and Lindsey Buckingham will play a Sept. 29 concert. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. To purchase tickets, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Changes to Women’s Theatre Co. Schedule: The Women’s Theatre Co. in Parsippany has changed its previously announced season schedule and audition dates. The musicals “Romance, Romance” and “The Last Five Years” have replaced “They’re Playing Our Song” and “Baby.” The season also includes the comedies “Crimes of the Heart” and “Southern Comforts,” and a bonus production, “A Person of Interest.” Go to WomensTheater.org for more information.

Here’s a Headline, Jay Leno’s Coming to the Mayo Center: Tickets for Jay Leno’s Aug. 26 concert at the  are on sale now. Tickets cost $110 to $150. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Next Season at Villagers: Villagers Theatre in Somerset has announced its 2011-12 season, which will begin with the romantic comedy “Cactus Flower,” Sept. 16 through Oct. 2. Next up is Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera  “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Nov. 4 through 20. “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is scheduled for Feb. 3 through 19 followed by the French comedy “A Flea in Her Ear” March 16 through April 1. The classic musical “The Music Man” will wrap things up June 8 through 24. For information, call 732-873-2710 or go to VillagersTheatre.com.

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