Grey Gardens Study Guide

CAROLINA FOREST HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS

Book by DougWrightMusic byScott FrankelLyrics byMichael KorieBased on thefilm GreyGardens byDavidMaysles,AlbertMaysles, EllenHovde, MuffieMayer andSusanFroemke

STUDYGUIDE

Prepared byCarolinaForest HighSchoolPerformingArtsDepartmentBased on theDisney Study Guide

Welcome

Carolina Forest High School presents

Grey Gardens

the musicalMarch 4-7Purchase Tickets online atwww.greygardensinfo.com“In a statement released today, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis confirmed that her eighty-year-old aunt, Mrs. EdithBouvier Beale, and her adult daughter Edie are living in squalid conditions in an East Hampton estate known as

“Grey Gardens.” The house that once played host to Howard Hughes and the Rockefellers is now a refuge for fifty-two stray cats, a few rabid raccoons, and its two reclusive inhabitants, all living in an environment theHealth Department calls “unfit for human habitation.”--Grey Gardens, PrologueHow did these two women with such wealth and promise come to such ruins? Why did no one help? What ledthem to this point? Grey Gardens the musical takes the audience on a heartfelt journey through the lives of Mrs.Edith Bouvier Beale, and her daughter “Little” Edie Beale. Not only it is amazing to think that such charactersactually existed, but the historical connections in the show and in their lives are extraordinary. As a teacher, Iam excited about the educational experience that this show creates for many of our students. There is so muchhistory and literature integrated into the show. At Carolina Forest High School, we strive to bring you“Broadway” level performances, and provide our students with opportunities to excel in all areas. We hope thatyou will find this study guide to be a useful source in relating the educational aspects of Grey Gardens to your students.Kelly HallTheatre Teacher Carolina Forest High School

A Note from the Director

My name is Wayne Canady; I want to take this opportunity to announcing the spring, 2010 musical,

GreyGardens

.I hope you will find the study guide to be a valuable tool in preparation for viewing this wonderfulstage production.I am delighted to report that last year, our production of "CATS" was an unprecedented success. Our theatrestudents performed to 13 sell out shows. The sets were awesome, the costumes were perfect, and lighting andtechnical theatre students performed at their very best. The live orchestra, featuring many of our own studentmusicians, was exquisite. The entire show was just a phenomenal experience for all involved, especially me! Inmy 27 years of theatrical productions, I believe this one was the best so far... We had so many positivecomments after the show from folks who saw the show on Broadway, and even in the original show in London.They all agreed that we performed on a par with the professionals, some said even better. Now that's some high praise indeed!2

Having said all of that, the wheels have been put in motion for another monumental production,

Grey Gardens

.We are extremely excited about this musical, and will be working to make this performance as enjoyable andmemorable as last year's performance.As you review our website and study guide, we hope that you will take a moment to let us know who you are.We want to contact you and make you aware of all of our upcoming performances. We have a large group of talented young people at Carolina Forest. I am convinced that a few of our current students will be performingon Broadway one day soon, if not, they have had the experience of what it is like to be a performer onBroadway. We hold the bar extremely high for our young performers, and they never disappoint, that'sfor sure.We are so fortunate that in our school district, we are able to offer our children a chance to learn about the stage,theatre, music, and art in the public school system. Theatre, show choir, band, orchestra, art, broadcasting, andtechnical theatre -- we have it all in our curriculum at Carolina Forest High School. We hope that you will make plans to attend some of many upcoming performances that we offer during the school year. After you reviewthe study guide and web site information tell your friends about

Grey Gardens

, and we look forward to seeingyou at the show in your red shoes!Wayne CanadyDirector

Table of Contents

Page 5……………………………………….Who is Little Edie?Page 8……………………………………….The Back storyPage 10…………………………………..….Awards and NominationsPage 11…………………………………..….Meet the CharactersPage 11…………………………………..….Class Projects in CharacterizationPage 13…………………………………..….Class Projects: WHO3