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"Little
Edie", the cousin of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy
Onassis, and whose mother, "Big Edie" was the aunt
of Jackie O' performed a cabaret act in 1978 in the
West Village at Reno Sweeney. |
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On Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 32 years later at the Public
Theater's Joe's Pub on Lafayette St. "Little Edie' Beale"
performed a re-creation of her 1978 show under the amazing
performance of thespian Jeffrey Johnson*. He dressed
in total red surrounded
with a headress of orange-red leaves and offered a brilliant
combination of comedy and pathos combining singing and
dancing accompanied by a pianist and punctuated with
memories and a Q & A.
Documentarian, Albert Maysles, (who filmed "Grey Gardens" in
the 1970's, which became a cult classic was filmed at the
estate) attended this December 29, 2009 performance as well
as "Little Edie's" 1978 performance. Albert said " the
reenactment was excellent and pure perfection, truly
astonishing......."
Attending the event were
"Grey Gardens" inspired artist
Richard La Rovere-painter
of the Beales and Garden;
Giovanni Gelardi-creator of miniature "Grey Gardens"
installations; Andrew Wargo-artist who creates
watercolors of "Grey Gardens" moments and memories; Richard
Novak-who has built over 100 homes on Long Island and who
met the two "Edies" in the 70's and drove them home to their
crumbling "Grey Gardens". Mr. Novak is also a major
collector of "Grey Gardens" art.
Also in attendance was International Chef Frédériq* whose
prestigious clients include The Sultan of Brunei, Princess
Grace of Monaco, and Placido Domingo,
to name just a few.
Frédériq has greatly admired the "Grey Gardens"
phenomenon through the years.
Clara Aich (claraaich@hotmail.com)
organized a "Salon" after the show/party for Jeffrey Johnson
with Albert Maysles at her sumptuous East Side Townhouse
with 30' ceilings and a 15' holiday tree with real (burning)
candles. Chef Frédériq not only attended but catered
the event as well. It was a truly glorious souvenir
evening. Some of Clara's talented guests played music
on her beautiful baby grand piano which added to the
ambience.
There are plans to bring back the show "After The
Gardens/Edie Beale/LIVE at Reno Sweeney" for a One Week Run
in early 2010 at Joe's Pub (
www.joespub.com )
Like the "Grey Gardens"
three Tony Award Winning
Broadway Musical, The HBO six Emmy Winning Movie, This new
evolution is destined for GREATNESS.
As Albert Maysles (www.mayslesfilms.com)
states:
"All things excellent are both difficult and rare" - Spinoza
To 2010 and more blooms in the Garden...
*Chez Le Chef, Inc. 127 Lexington Avenue, 212 685 1888
For more information about Jeffrey Johnson please visit:
www.ganymedearts.org
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