Big Interview: Scott Frankel, Michael Korie & Doug Wright - the writers of Grey Gardens

Scott Frankel, Michael Korie and Doug Wright are the writers of Grey Gardens, a musical based on the​ 1975​ documentary of the same name. 

The piece explores the relationship between a mother and daughter - Edith Bouvier Beale and Little Edie - as they spiral down the social ladder and become reclusive outcasts. 

Grey Gardens premiered off-Broadway in February 2006 before transferring to Broadway nine months later. Both leading ladies - Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise Wilson - won Tony Awards for their performances in the show. 

Scott Frankel, Michael Korie & Doug Wright

The musical is currently receiving its European premiere at the Southwark Playhouse starring Jenna Russell and Sheila Hancock. Directed by Thom Southerland, the entire run of Grey Gardens ​is completely sold old and the production has broken box office records​. 

Last Friday - the day after opening night - I sat down with Scott, Michael and Doug at the Southwark Playhouse to discuss Grey Gardens’ creation, the show’s journey to Broadway and what they think of the London production, plus much more… 

Which of you watched the Grey Gardens documentary and thought ‘I want to turn this into a musical’? How did the lightbulb moment happen?

[Michael and Doug both point over Scott’s head]

Scott Frankel (music): I knew the film very well and had seen it millions of times – I had been to parties where people would dress up and recite some of Edie’s phrases – but it never occurred to me it could be adapted for the stage… until one day it did in about the year 2000. I rang up Albert Maysles who is the surviving documentary filmmaker (Albert made the documentary with his brother, David) and said, “I don’t know how I would do it, but I’m keen to turn Grey Gardens into a musical. Is there any chance the rights are available?”

He said, “It’s so strange you’re calling because the film came out twenty-five years ago and nobody has approached us about the rights until recently a French opera composer has been speaking to us about wanting to make Grey Gardens into an opera.” 

Review: Grey Gardens at the Southwark Playhouse

Grey Gardens

Southwark Playhouse

Reviewed on Thursday 7th January 2016
★★★★

Adapted from the 1975 documentary, Grey Gardens is an unusual musical which explores the relationship between a mother and daughter - Edith Bouvier Beale and Little Edie - as they spiral down the social ladder and become reclusive outcasts living in horrific conditions (surrounded by cats).

The month ahead: January 2016

Keep an eye on...

Noma Dumezweni

Noma Dumezweni's career is currently soaring from strength to strength. This week she is giving her final performances as the title character in Linda at the Royal Court, a role she took over from Kim Cattrall two weeks before opening night. She is also preparing to make her directorial debut, helming I See You by Mongiwekhaya which begins performances at the Royal Court in February. Later this year she will take on the role of a lifetime, starring as Hermione in J.K. Rowling's play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Dumezweni is certainly one to watch!

Sheila Hancock & Jenna Russell

Later this week (7th Jan) the European première of Grey Gardens opens to press at the Southwark Playhouse. Thom Southerland's production stars Sheila Hancock and Jenna Russell, both of whom are Olivier Award winning actresses. In 2007 Hancock won Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for playing Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret whilst Russell won Best Actress in a Musical in 2006 for playing Dot in Sunday in the Park with George. There's already talk in theatreland about both stars giving performances to remember; Grey Gardens plays until 6th February 2016.

Shows that should be on your radar...

PICS: Sheila Hancock & Jenna Russell rehearse Grey Gardens

Rehearsal images have been released for the European première of Grey Gardens. The musical stars Olivier Award winning actresses Sheila Hancock and Jenna Russell as Edith “Big Edie” Ewing Bouvier Beale and Edith “Little Edie” Bouvier Beale. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge). 

Based on an iconic 1975 documentary, Grey Gardens tells the spectacular real life rise and fall of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s aunt and cousin, Edith and Edie Bouvier Beale. Directed by Thom Southerland, the musical opens at the Southwark Playhouse on 7th January 2016 (previews from 2nd January) for a limited run until 6th February 2016. 

Full casting announced for Grey Gardens starring Sheila Hancock & Jenna Russell

WhatsOnStage have announced full casting for the European première of Grey Gardens.

As previously announced, the musical will star Olivier Award winning actresses Sheila Hancock and Jenna Russell as Edith “Big Edie” Ewing Bouvier Beale and Edith “Little Edie” Bouvier Beale.

Based on an iconic 1975 documentary, Grey Gardens tells the spectacular real life rise and fall of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s aunt and cousin, Edith and Edie Bouvier Beale. 

Directed by Thom Southerland, the musical opens at the Southwark Playhouse on 7th January 2016 (previews from 2nd January) for a limited run until 6th February 2016. The show has book by Doug Wright, music by Scott Frankel and lyrics by Michael Korie.

GOSSIP: Could Sheila Hancock & Jenna Russell star in Grey Gardens?

According to the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye, Sheila Hancock and Jenna Russell are in early discussions about the possibility of starring in Grey Gardens.

Directed by Thom Southerland, Bamigboye reports that the musical will run at the Southwark Playhouse in early 2016.

Grey Gardens premiered off-Broadway in 2006 before transferring to Broadway and winning three Tony Awards.