Mary Louise Wilson to Depart Grey Gardens July 29

Producers of the hit musical Grey Gardens announced today that the opportunity for theater-goers to see the two most acclaimed performances of the 2006-2007 Broadway season – those of Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise Wilson, who both won Tony Awards for their work in the musical – will be through Sunday, July 29th only.  On that date, Wilson will give her final performance as 'Edith Bouvier Beale' in the acclaimed musical at The Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street).  

After July 29th, the musical will continue as an open-ended run at The Kerr starring Ebersole in her dual performance as 'Edith Bouvier Beale' (in Act One) and 'Little Edie Beale' (in Act Two).  She'll play opposite Wilson's replacement, who will be announced imminently.  

"Both Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise Wilson have a long history with Grey Gardens, having been associated with the musical since it's first workshop in late 2004 at The Sundance Institute at White Oak.  At the time, only the first act had been written, and the musical's creative team – author Doug Wright, composer Scott Frankel, lyricist Michael Korie and director Michael Greif – have expressed how instrumental both actresses were to the development of their characters and the musical itself.  Both Ms. Ebersole and Ms. Wilson have likened their onstage partnership to 'a beautiful game of tennis,' and in the press room at this year's Tony Awards, Ms. Wilson called the onstage pairing 'the only really ideal relationship I've ever had with another actor,'" state press notes.

For her performance in the musical, Mary Louise Wilson won the 2007 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and last season was nominated for Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Lortel awards and was honored by the Drama-League. 

Christine Ebersole will continue with Grey Gardens for the run of her contract, which goes into the Fall of 2007.  After that time, and as previously announced, she will recreate her Tony-winning performance for the musical's London debut during the 2007-2008 season.  London partners, dates and additional casting will be officially announced in the coming months.  The musical's producers are also in discussions about the possibility of presenting the show in U.S. engagements across the country.  

In addition to Ebersole and Wilson, Grey Gardens stars John McMartin, Bob Stillman, Matt Cavenaugh, Michael Potts, and Sarah Hyland (all from the Playwrights Horizons production), as well as Broadway newcomer Erin Davie as Young 'Little' Edie Beale, and Kelsey Fowler.  The show opened at the Walter Kerr Theatre on November 2nd.

The musical features a book by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Doug Wright (I Am My Own Wife, the play and film Quills), music by Scott Frankel (musical director for Broadway's Falsettos, Putting It Together) and lyrics by Michael Korie (Harvey Milk, Zhivago). Directed by Tony Award nominee and Obie winner Michael Greif (Rent), the production has musical staging by Tony Award nominee Jeff Calhoun (Big River, Grease!). It will be produced by Producers East of Doheny, Randall L. Wreghitt/Mort Swinsky, Michael Alden and Edwin W. Schloss, in association with Playwrights Horizons,

"Not since Mama Rose and Gypsy has there been a mother/daughter act as hilarious, as heartbreaking and as utterly unforgettable as Edith and Edie Beale - Jackie Kennedy's most outrageous relatives - in Broadway's acclaimed musical smash Grey Gardens.  From the grandeur of an East Hampton high society party in 1941 to the sensational tabloid headlines that rocked the Kennedy clan in 1973, Grey Gardens is scandalously entertaining.  This witty and passionate ride features Christine Ebersole's already-legendary performance and breaks new ground as the first musical ever based on a documentary.  Step into the world of Grey Gardens and see the other side of Camelot," state press notes.

The Broadway production of Grey Gardens reunites the original creative and design team, featuring scenic design by Allen Moyer, costume design by five-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award winner Peter Kaczorowski, sound design by Brian Ronan and projections by Wendall K. Harrington. Orchestrations are by Tony Award winner Bruce Coughlin and Music Director is Lawrence Yurman.

Grey Gardens had its world premiere at Playwrights Horizons, opening March 7, 2006 and completely sold out its initial limited engagement as well as three extensions. The musical was named Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical by the Outer Critics Circle Awards and was also the winner of a 2006 Richard Rodgers Production Award, administered by the American Academy of Arts and Letters. It was most recently honored by the theater annual Best Plays as one of the ten best of the 2005-2006 season, and the only musical cited. Leading lady Ebersole also won several awards, including the Obie and the Drama Desk.

Visit www.greygardensthemusical.com for more information. 

Photo of Mary Louise Wilson by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.