Betty Buckley and Rachel York Play Big Edie, Little Edie in 'Grey Gardens'
This August in Sag Harbor, Betty Buckley and Rachel York will star in the musical Grey Gardens at the Bay Street Theater.
The musical—directed by Michael Wilson with book written by Doug Wright, music by Scott Frankel, and lyrics by Michael Korie—is based on a 1975 documentary by Albert and David Maysles. It follows the story of Big Edie and Little Edie Bouvier Beale, the aunt and cousin of Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis.
Buckley, who is to take on the role of Big Edie/Edith Bouvier Beale, is an actress and singer who has been involved in theater, film, television, and concert halls on a global scale. A Theatre Hall of Fame inductee in 2012, Buckley is well-renowned in the industry. Famed for her appearances on Broadway, Buckley won a Tony Award for her performance as Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats. She received a second nomination for a Tony for her role of Hesione in Triumph of Love and an Olivier Award nomination for her performance as Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production Sunset Boulevard in London. Buckley appeared in several other Broadway shows including 1776, Song and Dance, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Carrie. Buckley’s involvement in acting carries over to the film industry which began with her debut in Brian de Palma’s screen version of Stephen King’s Carrie. Buckley played Harrison Ford’s on-screen wife, Sondra Walker, in Roman Polanski’s Frantic, and took on the role of Mrs. Jones in M. Night Shymalan’s The Happening. She also appeared in Bruce Beresford’s Tender Mercies, and Woody Allen’s Another Woman, among others. Buckley showed up on television in HBO’s The Pacific. For three seasons, she starred in the HBO series Oz, and guest starred on numerous other television shows such as Without a Trace, Law and Order: SVU, Pretty Little Liars, and Getting on. Buckley also tours in concert worldwide and has 16 recorded CDs.
Joining Buckley on stage, York portrays “Little” Edie/Edith Bouvier Beale. York has made several appearances on Broadway including in Les Misérables as Fantine, City of Angels, and Victor/Victoria with Julie Andrews, for which, York was a Drama Desk Award recipient. York also played the role of Lucille Ball in the CBS movie Lucy. Other performances include her starring role in the national tour of Anything Goes as Reno Sweeny, Cruella de Vil in the national tour of The 101 Dalmations Musical, Lilli Vanessi in Kiss Me, Kate and Guenevere in the national tour of Camelot. Rachel York received several Drama Desk nominations for several off-broadway performances including Stephen Sondheim’s Putting it Together, and Dessa Rose. York has also performed in a plethora of concerts such as the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, and the National Symphony and the Pittsburgh Pops among others. York has made an appearance in the critically acclaimed cabarets For the Love of It and Let’s Fall in Love. Her career also extends to television as she made appearances in such shows as Hannah Montana, Frasier, Reba, Numb3r, Close to Home, Spin City, and Diagnosis Murder. York lends her voice to several characters including Bitty in Higglytown Heroes, and Cince on The Justice League as well as a voice for Happy Feet. York also made an appearance in the movie One Fine Day as Liza directed by Michael Hoffman.
Grey Gardens will be running from August 4 through August 30 at the Bay Street Theater. At the moment the show is only available as part of a 2015 Mainstage Season subscription, which can be obtained by calling the Bay Street Theater box office at 631-725-9500 or visiting at baystreet.org. Single tickets will go on sale June 1.