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The hilarious and heartbreaking Tony award-winning musical of the eccentric aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, once bright names on the social register who became East Hampton’s most notorious recluses.
Based on the 1975 documentary film of the same name, Grey Gardens is a tragic, frequently funny, and utterly unforgettable musical about two “staunch” and legendary American women and cousins to Jackie Kennedy, Edith Bouvier Beale, and her grown daughter, Edie. Grey Gardens begins at the grand 1941 engagement party of stunning and spirited “Little Edie” Beale to handsome Navy man Joe Kennedy, Jr., hosted by Edie’s mother, Edith Bouvier Beale. As the upper-crust, New England family gathers, so do the storm clouds of trouble that eventually leave both “Big” and “Little” Edie alone and heartbroken. The second act launches the narrative into the overgrown, cat-riddled, and bug-infested estate in 1973, where the two Edies live, alone. “Big Edie” is now bedridden, and “Little Edie” grows more eccentric by the day, haunted by dreams of love and success, long since dashed. Weaving documentary text with imaginative speculation, the musical documents the journey of the Beales from royalty to ruin. With a diverse musical songbook, including Tin Pan Alley jigs and soaring ballads, Grey Gardens is a unique tapestry of lost dreams, sacrifice, and unstoppable hope– heartfelt, witty, and compassionate.
Where:
Vanguard Lyceum Theater
55 Fair Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-668-6145
For Google & Apple Maps, type “Lyceum Theater Costa Mesa” for turn-by-turn directions
When:
- May 25th – June 10th
Time:
- Fridays at 7:30 pm
- Saturdays at 2:00 & 7:30 pm
- Sundays at 2:00 pm
Susan Berkompas (Big Eddie/ Little Eddie)
Susan K. Berkompas is a member of SSDC, SAG-AFTRA. She is the recipient of the KCACTF Excellence in Education and Gold Medallion awards, and is an alumnus of Directors Lab West. She has studied Shakespeare with Sir John Barton at the British American Drama Academy, and she is working on her certificate of completion with MICHA on the Michael Chekov Technique. She is the founder and Producing Artistic Director of American Coast Theatre Company, and she chairs the Theatre Arts Department at Vanguard University. Some of her favorite roles include Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire, Joy in Shadowlands, and Gertrude from Hamlet.
Vanda Eggington (Big Eddie)
Vanda Eggington is a graduate of California Lutheran University and the Sherwood Music Academy. Although she currently lives in Orange County, she was on staff at Lamb’s Players Theatre in San Diego for many years. Currently an instructor and director at Vanguard she loves writing and directing and is thankful for the opportunities for both. She has written numerous arrangements and original compositions for a variety of productions. She is the co-creator of Boomers and American Rhythm and the sole creator of Love Makes the World Go ‘Round, The Beat Goes On, Home for the Holidays, Open All Night and Holiday Hoopla.
Emily Coffey (Little Eddie/Company)
Emily Coffey is a current student at Vanguard University, and will be entering her Sophomore year this coming fall. In her freshman year Emily had the wonderful privilege of
Nick Lazaris (Joseph P. Kennedy)
Nick Lazaris is honored to be able to return to the Ed & Dixie Arnold Stage again with American Coast Theatre Company. Previous credits with ACTC include Love Makes the World Go ‘Round, The Taming of the Shrew and last summer’s production of The Beat Goes On. Nick graduated from Vanguard in 2012 with a concentration in Musical Theatre. Since then he’s continued to act in commercial and industrial work in Orange County and LA. Last year he was fortunate enough to be offered the position of Theatre Manager for Vanguard University and ACTC which he feels has been a blessing to give back to the department that gave so much to him. Nick would like to thank his amazing wife Bretlyn, and the amazing group of interns that work to help put on this fantastic production.
Paul Eggington (JV “Major” Bouvier/ Dr Norman Vincent Peale)
Christopher W. Smith (George Gould Strong)
Cornelius Lindsey (Brooks, Sr. / Brooks Jr.)
Cornelius Lindsey has a lifetime of experience blessing audiences with stage performance and choreography of theatre, dance, and gymnast shows. He joined ACTC’s 2017 professional company production of The Beat Goes On. Cornelius previously allowed his passion for performing arts to shine bright in sharing more than 10 years of participation, choreography and Artistic Directing with the Fern Street Circus of San Diego. He continues to develop his diverse skillset as Transferring junior into Vanguard University and is Pursuing a bachelors in musical theater, where he was recently seen as Caleb in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He would like to thank his Mother for her love and support. And his best friend for pushing him to follow his dreams. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
Malia Hoff (Jacquelin Bouvier)
Malia Hoff is currently a student at Vanguard University entering her fourth year of studying theatre. Past credits include: Olive Ostrovsky in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Little Red in Into the Woods, Mary Warren in The Crucible, and Rebecca Gibbs in Our Town. She plans on pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, whether it be film, music, or theatre. Soli Deo gloria.
Grace Audiss (Lee Bouvier)
Grace Audiss is a fifth grader at Harbor View Elementary whose love for anything theatrical started at three years old as the youngest flash mob dancer at the Corona del Mar Christmas Walk. Since then, she’s gone on to be an active participant in Vanguard’s Children’s Theater (ACCT) with roles including Marie in last summer’s production ofAristocats Jr. Most recently, Grace was the amazing and flamboyant Mayzie Le Bird in Seussical Jr. This will be Grace’s first role with ACTC and she is both excited and thankful to be a part of this wonderful production.
London Swanson (Lee Bouvier)
London is in the sixth grade at Harbor View Elementary. She has been acting since she was nine. London’s favorite role so far has been Gertrude McFuzz from Seussical Jr. Some of her past performances include Alice in Wonderland where she played the Dormouse and Aristocats where she played Abigail. When she is not acting, she loves to sing, draw, and play with her dog. London is super excited to be playing Lee in Grey Gardens.
