MONMOUTH – “Grey Gardens,” the musical version of an acclaimed 1975 documentary showing a totally unexpected picture of the Kennedy clan, comes to the Cumston Hall stage in a Monmouth Community Players production beginning Jan. 30.

It’s about an eccentric aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Bouvier, who was to become Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Told with humor and sensitivity, “Grey Gardens” follows the lives of these two women from their original status as rich and socially polished aristocrats through later years of isolation in a home overrun by cats and cited for repeated health code violations.
Adam P. Blais, director, calls the show “a love story between a mother and a daughter that spans 38 years.”
The story is joyous, heartwarming, sad, and funny at various times. The 2006 Broadway run was short, but the show with music by Scott Frankel and lyrics by Michael Korie received critical praise. The production was nominated for 10 Tony Awards in 2007, and it won three.
Blais said the story presents plenty of opportunities for a variety of musical numbers. It has lovely ballads, some music with the flavor of the 1940s, some gospel, some soft shoe, and some military marching band music.
Among the numbers Blais picked as highlights are “Will You?” “The Revolutionary Costume For Today” and “Peas In A Pod.”
The setting is Grey Gardens, the Bouviers’ mansion in East Hampton, N.Y.. In the first act, the audience sees the characters in their heyday when  “Little Edie” was 24 and “Big Edie” was 47. The second act is set 32 years later in 1973 at the decaying estate.
The central purpose of “Grey Gardens” is to untangle the complicated dynamics of this dysfunctional mother/daughter relationship. The focus is on the unending psychological struggle between a mother and a daughter.
“It has been a challenge to portray them honestly and not as caricatures of the documentary,” Blais said.
Three actress are required for portrayal of the two lead roles of “Grey Gardens.” The same actress who plays Big Edie in the first act plays Little Edie in the second act. Blais pointed out that the two roles call for different vocal styles. One is operatic and the other calls for a Broadway show tune “belter.”
Rebecca Beck plays Edith Bouvier Beale and “Little” Edie Beale; Jeanne Fletcher portrays Edith Bouvier Beale; and Melissa Bills has the role of young “Little” Edie Beale. Bills, who is new to the Monmouth stage, has appeared at Maine State Music Theatre.
Paul G. Caron, a veteran music director at Community Little Theatre, portrays George Gould Strong and Tyler Beck plays Joseph Kennedy, Jr. and Jerry.
The roles of Major Bouvier and Norman Vincent Peale are played by David Marshall. Glenn Atkins, who has performed at Community Little Theatre, is Brooks, Sr. and Brooks, Jr.
Hannah Perreault is seen as Jacqueline Bouvier and Alexa Reddy portrays Lee Bouvier.
Some of the other musical numbers in “Grey Gardens” are “Goin’ Places,” “Marry Well,” “Daddy’s Girl,” “Choose To Be Happy,” and “Another Winter in a Summer Town.”
Rebecca Caron is music director of the five-piece orchestra.
This Monmouth Community Players production opens Friday, Jan. 30. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Jan. 30-31 and Feb. 6 and 7, and at 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 1 and Feb. 8.
For tickets, call the box office at 1-800-838-3006 or go online to www.monmouthcommunityplayers.com.
Historic Cumston Hall is at 786 Main St., Monmouth.