I suppose I should start where life left off last. It was Ellie's birthday last Friday, so we celebrated by going to "Gypsy" and dinner Thursday night. Then on her actual birthday, she and I spent a lovely day at the beach at Coney Island, eating greasy food, sunning ourselves (or, in my case, lathering up a thick layer of SPF 40), and admiring hot lifeguard bulges, all while discussing the nearly-here Pottergasm and other deep subjects. All this was followed by another trip to the theater. Since it closes on Sunday, we decided to see "Grey Gardens", starring the beautiful and amazingly talented Christine Ebersole.
Grey Gardens
So here's the deal. I'd heard nothing but amazing things about this show. Seriously...not one ill word. And yet, I walked away from it feeling somewhat hollow. Christine Ebersole and Mary Louise Wilson give stunning performances, to be sure, but the show itself, I think, is immensely flawed. First off is the first act, which, if you've seen any advertisements for the show, you would never know existed. It's bright, cheery, elegant...the perfect East Hampton home. And I understand the whole point is to show the contrast between the home in the 40's and the 70's, but seriously...well, this is how I'll put it. I wish the show didn't have the first act, because I think it's pretty weak, musically, acting-wise...and slightly uninteresting. But the show wouldn't work without it. The second act is so adept at showing the squalor and hopelessness these two women have fallen into because the first act is so lovely. The second act, meanwhile, is so interesting, so tragic, and incredibly moving at times. So...it's a toss-up. I think the show would have been improved by the content of the first act showing up in flashback, extending the events of the second act and making them the primary narrative. Of course, Christine Ebersole couldn't have played both roles in that case, but there's something to be said for sacrificing that for the betterment of the show. I'm sure there are huge fans that could tell me exactly why it's so brilliant, but as such, I'm glad I saw it, but feel like I do, nevertheless.
So, moving on...
That night brought Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I started it that very night, reading a few chapters. Unfortunately, work broke up the constant stream of reading, but I finished it three days later and absolutely loved it. It was intensely satisfying. I may or may not have been quoted as saying...
"It was like a 759-page full body orgasm."
Ahem. Anyway...I'll spare the every detail, but I loved it, loved it, loved it. It was moving and funny and thrilling and wonderous. If you'd never read a Harry Potter book, I can say with no hesitation that even at the end of all things, it thrilled me just as much as the first time I read the first book. So take that as a recommendation. :0)
Along the way, I also bought a beautiful dark brown bed frame, which is something I'd been looking for for quite some time. It was a steal and although it isn't put together yet, I look forward to a big, beautiful bed to sleep on. Wee!
I also attended the invited dress rehearsal of "Grease"!
Grease
My wonderul ex-roommate, Emily Padgett, is a swing in the new Broadway production, so I was off to "Grease" for free!
The show had some pacing issues, but very cute and definitely has a lot of potential. If I were to recommend it to anyone, I'd say wait until previews are over and they've worked out all the kinks. Then it should be pretty good.
Aaaaand now I'm off to see the second to last performance of "Beauty and the Beast" ever. I'm excited. Never seen it before.
Until next time! :0)
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