New "Grey Gardens" Documentary, Charting Broadway Musical, Airs Dec. 23 on PBS
By Kenneth Jones
23 Dec 2008
"Grey Gardens: From East Hampton to Broadway," the new documentary film produced by East of Doheny with Albert Maysles, airs nationwide Dec. 23 on PBS-TV on the Emmy Award-winning program "Independent Lens."
The film — about how the lives of Edith and Edie Beale have been captured on celluloid and stage — has been seen in limited-engagement screenings around the U.S. In the New York City area, it will appear at 10 PM (ET) Dec. 23. Check local listings for airdate, time and channel in your area, or visit http://www.pbs.org/independentlens.
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The documentary "unfolds the creative journey of Albert Maysles' cult classic, 'Grey Gardens,' from non-fiction film to legendary Broadway musical," according to production notes. "Edith Beale and her daughter Edie — aunt and cousin to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis — were a most unique and engaging mother/daughter act, built upon powerful independence, courage, devotion and love. The 1975 Maysles film, 'Grey Gardens,' catapulted them to icon status and culminated in the ultimate homage: being portrayed on the Broadway stage. This new Maysles documentary features behind-the-scenes footage of the Tony Award-winning show's rehearsals and performances. Also included are interviews with the creators and cast, as well as insights from fashion designers, cultural commentators, fans, and a revealing interview with Albert Maysles himself."
The Broadway musical Grey Gardens (Nov 2, 2006-July 29, 2007) earned Tony Awards for its leading and featured actresses (Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise Wilson). The Doug Wright-Michael Korie-Scott Frankel musical is now being produced in regional theatres around the U.S. (Northlight Theatre in Skokie, IL, TheatreWorks in California, Studio Theatre in Washington, DC, and beyond).
"We are delighted to bring 'Grey Gardens: From East Hampton to Broadway' to 'Independent Lens,'" series producer Lois Vossen said. "The joy of this new film is that not only do you reconnect with the Beales, you also get a front-row seat to the creative process that transformed the Maysles' film into a moving and award-winning Broadway musical. We are extremely pleased to be associated with such an influential talent as Albert Maysles. We know this film will be a favorite with our viewers."
"All of us at East of Doheny are so proud that this latest incarnation of the incredible mother/daughter relationship of Edith and Edie Beale has found a new outlet through 'Independent Lens' and PBS," Kelly Gonda, president of East of Doheny, said. "Our thanks for the involvement of Albert Maysles for helping us protect the Beale legacy."
East of Doheny is an independent theatrical and film production company headed by Kelly Gonda, with offices in New York and Los Angeles. EOD's upcoming projects are My Man Godfrey, Please Don't Eat the Daisies and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. Film projects in development are "Flipped," "Stuffed," "Julie and Romeo" and "Secret Letters."
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"Independent Lens" is a Peabody and Emmy Award-winning weekly series airing Tuesday nights at 10 PM on PBS. Check local listings for time and channel in your area. The acclaimed anthology series "features documentaries and a limited number of fiction films united by the creative freedom, artistic achievement and unflinching visions of their independent producers." "Independent Lens" features "unforgettable stories about a unique individual, community or moment in history."
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