*69: Christine Ebersole Flies Her Freak Flag

It's Ebersole Day here at The Operator, where we turn your attention towards and interview with New York magazine. Ms. Ebersole is ever so sincere, ever so kooky, and ever so talented.

You’ve said that you believe the dead communicate with us, and your portrayal of Little Edie is eerie …

Yeah, I’m channeling it. I inhabit her and she inhabits me. I feel a partnership there.


You live in New Jersey. Would you rather be closer to your work?

My secret desire is to move back to New York in the next ten years. But how do I let go of Maplewood? It’s like Shangri-la. It’s so culturally diverse, and all my children are adopted—a transracial family. And we’re not the freaks. Everybody flies their freak flag high in Maplewood!

Once Grey Gardens goes to Broadway, you’re eligible for another Tony. Is that important?

That’s just the cherry on top. I wouldn’t turn it down. It would be nice to have bookends.


Talking to spirits while raising a multicultural brood in the hinterlands of Jersey: How can you not love this woman? If anyone deserves to win a Tony Award this year, it's her.


Channeling the Grey Ghosts [New York magazine]

Christine Ebersole ;Grey Gardens;Musicals