Exclusive Q&A with Fashionista Ted O'Ryan Sheppard

I consider Ted and his partner, Grey Garden's Jerry Torre, friends. They are a wonderful couple and just two of the nicest guys I've ever met. But here, fashion maven Ted talks to me about the fashion world... and more!

Buddy B: You have worked for many of the big names in the fashion world. Lacoste, Kenneth Cole, Saks, Donna Karan. How did you break into this business, what is the nature of your work, exactly, and -- of the above list -- which has been your best experience? 

Ted O'Ryan Sheppard: Hmm, I don't quite remember to tell you the truth! My mom and I have always loved fashion when I was a kid. It was after the realization that fashion (true fashion) is a form of art. Anything esthetic attracts me, be it architecture, history or fashion. 

BB: You are in a relationship with Jerry Torre, the Marble Faun of Grey Gardens. How did you two meet, and could you tell our readers about your relationship? 

TOS: We found each other via the computer. Jerry and I have an amazing relationship. We've been together about 10 years and live together. I've never met anyone so in sync with me. In a good relationship, we try to do everything together. Wonderful thing about our relationship is my mother has embraced Jerry as a son. Jerry is always supportive of my demanding schedule and travel.

BB: I always enjoy your company (I'm sure you know). What was your favorite Grey Gardens experience with Jerry? 

TOS: Being guest of Ben Bradley at The Grey Gardens estate in east Hampton. 

BB: What is it in the world of fashion that drives you crazy? What is most gratifying? 

TOS: Indecision drives me crazy. Gratifying to me: I've gone to work with some of the most talented people in the business. Kenneth Cole gave me the best advice on styling. Indecision drives me crazy. Gratifying to me: I've gone to work with some of the most talented people in the business. Kenneth Cole gave me the best advice on styling men. "When styling a guy, always make him feel he could be Steve McQueen."

BB: What do you like to do when you're not working?

TOS: I love spending time home with Jerry and traveling.

BB: It's Gay Pride month. Any events or plans for you and Jerry? 

TOS: Nothing planned yet but if you know anything please let us know.

BB: What made you decide to go for -- or steered you in the direction of -- a career in the fashion world?

TOS: Growing up, I've always had a strong passion for films and loved the costumes. I always felt the costumes and films told a story. I went off to school to the Art Institute of Philadelphia to study fashion marketing then it clicked for me and I loved display and merchandising presentation. After school was done, I worked as a freelancer in Philadelphia. My big break came when I worked for Kenneth Cole and moved to New York. I've been so lucky in my career. Besides learning from the masters of fashion and visual display, I've gotten hands on work of styling. I've had some fun experiences working on (what not to wear) behind the scenes. Dressing models for fashion week. One thing I really enjoyed is dressing celebrities for events. My good friend, the late actor Taylor Negron: We always had fun pulling great New York fashion moments for him.

BB: Do you consider yourself a "people person"? 

TOS: I think with fashion, you have to be a people person; you can't be cold. If you're not a people person in fashion, then you're in the wrong industry because you have to touch so many people.

BB: How are you planning on spending your summer? 

TOS: In fashion you always have to be a season ahead so I already feel summer is over. 

BB: I last saw you and Jerry at the Return to Grey Gardens show. I know you enjoyed yourselves as much as I did. What are some of your brief recollections about that show?  
TOS: Lucky enough to be in your company. It was so great to see a lighthearted presentation of Grey Gardens.

BB: Most important question of this interview: So, when are we all getting together again? 
TOS: Soon I hope.

Return to Grey Gardens

I interviewed Peaches Christ, who will star as the Big Edie-like character from the Grey Gardens movie, in advance of Return to Grey Gardens, at the theater at Baruch, 17 Lexington Ave. (off 23rd St.) in Manhattan. Shows at 7 and 9 pm. Here's our ensuing conversation:

Buddy Beaverhausen~ You are coming to NYC in Return to Gray Gardens, a show that had its original production in San Francisco at the Castro Theater. How was that received and have any alterations been made to the show since then?

Peaches Christ~ We first did the show in my hometown of SF where my production company is based and it was extremely well received.  This show was somewhat different than our traditional cult movie send-ups are because it isn't strictly comedy or horror.  The source material here is so near and dear to our hearts and it was important we capture some of the real drama and anxiety that the Edies express so that there's a truly emotional element in our production.  I was nervous about it because ultimately it's still a very silly, funny drag show.  But the audience embraced it and the experience was very rewarding.  We then took the show to Seattle (Jinkx's hometown) and then Los Angeles and now New York City.  Because the show itself is set in whatever city we're performing in I have to re-write the script a bit for each location.  We also have had special local guests in every city so in Seattle we had BenDelaCreme and Sylvia O'Stayformore in the show and in Los Angeles we had Squeaky Blonde.  In New York we have Bob The Drag Queen playing Jackie Mo'Lasses and I'm a big fan of Bob's so I'm really excited she agreed to do it.  

When did you get John Waters star Mink Stole on board and can I assume she will be assaying the Jackie O part?

Mink is a very dear friend who first came to SF and did my "Midnight Mass" show almost fifteen years ago.  I grew up in Maryland and worshipped her and the Dreamlanders growing up so when I invited her to come and do my cult movie event and she said yes, it was a dream come true.  Over the years we've become very close and she co-starred in the feature film I wrote and directed All About Evil.  We went on tour together when the movie came out and have done shows all over so it's always a thrill to have her come to SF and be in a production.  She actually plays herself in the show and because Jinkx and I are playing versions of ourselves so is Mink.  She shows up at Big Peachy's birthday and tries to talk Jinkxy and I into moving on with our lives.

As you know, I'll be coming with Jerry, the real-life Marble Faun from the documentary. Will there be a Jerry character in the show?

Ohmygod, I can't even begin to tell you how exciting this is for us!  As soon as I knew it was confirmed I texted Thomas Dekker who's playing "Jerry" in the show and let him know.  I wrote "no pressure"!  Thomas and I are thrilled.  Thomas also starred in my film All About Evil opposite Natasha Lyonne.  He's a fantastic actor and is currently on Fox TV's "Backstrom".  He's been in a ton of television shows and movies and has this big Hollywood career but is super generous with his time and has been able to come and be in a number of our shows including Hocus Pocus, Witches of Eastwick, and Grey Gardens.
 
The show stars Jinkx Monsoon as Little Jinkxy and you as Big Peachy. How far back does your working relationship go?

We met briefly when I was in Seattle in 2010 for a movie premiere and then we were familiar with one another and had talked about working together.  When her season of Drag Race was airing she came to SF for a viewing party and we went to lunch.  I had seen commercials advertising her as Edie on the "Snatch Game" episode and I suggested we do a Grey Gardens show.  She loved the idea and then her Edie episode aired that same night.  I knew then we were going to have a great show and I really wrote the show for Little Edie and for Jinkx because there's something so wonderful and magical about this performance.  It's true homage.  Jinkx is wildly talented as you know and since this collaboration she's also performed in my Hocus Pocus show "Coven" and the upcoming Drop Dead Gorgeous show we're doing "Death-Drop Gorgeous".  Oh, and later this year she'll be in our Addams Family Values show as Betty.

When did Peaches Christ first come into being and how has she changed over tie?

Peaches was born in my college senior thesis film, Jizmopper: A Love Story back in 1996.  I was studying film production at Penn State and the actor we’d hired to play the drag queen in the movie I was directing didn’t pull through for us so Peaches was born and stepped in to play the part.  My advice to first-time drag performers is always- “Try not to put your first-time in drag on 16mm film or in a movie so that people can discover it forever”.  Peaches Christ was always a character that celebrated cult movies and my love of cinema and so in that way she's stayed the same over the years, but as the audiences have gotten larger and I've written and directed more stage-shows I'd say that the productions have gotten better over the years- larger, more elaborate, better performances, writing, etc.

Who were your entertainment inspirations? Who are your favorite dance divas?

Divine. I grew up in Maryland so the discovery of Divine and the Dreamlanders are what drew me to drag at a really young age.  I first saw her in Hairspray and then Female Trouble, Pink Flamingos, and Polyester.  The fact the John Waters, Divine, Mink and the gang were making these movies just down the road from where I was growing up blew my mind.  I was transformed by the discovery.  Most of my big inspirations come from movies so besides Divine I was also greatly inspired by movie divas like Dr. Frankenfurter, Elvira, Joan Crawford by way of Fay Dunaway, Norma Desmond, Baby Jane, Freddy Krueger, etc. 

I read your Facebook post about the idea of remaking Rocky Horror Show as a tv movie. I agree, ugh! Horrible idea. But what if you were cast in it? Which character would you want to play and why?

Hmmm, Rocky Horror is one of those shows where I'd be willing to play ANY character just because it's so good and I love it so much!  But I'd have to say my favorites to play are Frank, Magenta, or Riff-Raff.  I've always been drawn to gothic fabulousness and these three are so dark and twisted and spooky and perverted that I'd be excited to play any of them.  

No doubt you've seen the original Grey Gardens documentary and the HBO movie. What are your opinions on each?

The documentary is tied as my favorite documentary ever with Paris Is Burning.  And I absolutely LOVE documentaries.  It's just brilliant and I was prepared to dislike the HBO narrative film.  I really thought it would bum me out and I have to say that my expectations were wrong.  I think it's the best thing Drew Barrymore has ever done and the whole structure of it was brilliant with the flash-backs and filling in the stuff that the documentary couldn't.  I'm a big fan of it.

Anything special you plan on doing in NYC when you're here this visit?

The best part of visiting NYC is seeing so many dear friends who live there so I plan on seeing as many as possible.  I'm also a big fan of food and so I hope to indulge in at least a piece of pizza, a bagel, and a cupcake- three things I think are done best in NYC.  Pizza blows in San Francisco.  
 
The NYC show sold out its originally scheduled 7 pm show and added a 9:00. Clearly, New Yorkers are clamoring for it. What might you think chances are it could be extended or return here?

I don't think an extension is possible unfortunately due to all of our schedules and other commitments but if it does well and people enjoy it I'd love to come back and do it again.  Much like cult movies, we know a show of ours is good when people want to see it again and again.  Later this summer we're doing a run of it in Provincetown so if East Coast folks see it in NYC and want to see a smaller, more intimate version of it they'll be able to catch us in P-town. 

Peaches, what the hell s going on in this country and what do you think Big Edie would think?

Oh my, that's just the kind of question I'd have to wrap my head around for a few hours.  I'd love to think that she'd be thrilled with some of the progress that's been made since her time, but she'd also be very aware of the hypocrisy of some of it and the injustices that still pervade our government and legal system.  Wow, I can't even get started.  It's too much to answer!   

Edie Beale: Live at Reno Sweeney at 54 Below

It was very appropriate that Jeffrey Johnson performed his recreation of Little Edie's 1978 stage show at Reno Sweeney, as New Year's Eve neared, in the swank, subterranean cabaret trappings beneath the old Studio 54 in Manhattan, with its disco party ghosts, to a packed house.

I attended the 1978 show at the now-legendary West Village cabaret (I was but a child at the time; my mother took me) and saw the real Edith Beale perform. I distinctly recall the cruel derision she received from her audience at the time; not at all like the climactic, upbeat apotheosis at the end of the HBO movie version of Grey Gardens.

Mr Johnson's theatrical channeling of Edie might best be described as campy but very much inexact.

For one thing, the show is largely filled with frequently fact-based but often speculative monologues about Edie's life in long, tragi-comic rectitals. In the real deal, the rather shy performer nervously went from song to song without much patter.

It was my privilege to sit with Jerry, the Marble Faun of the original documentary movie, Grey Gardens, at the show. Speaking to him afterwards, Jerry Torre told me he found the evening to be "fun" and a "nice tribute to the memory of Edie" and that he felt Johnson did a good job of "keeping Edie's spirit alive."

The real Beale deal

"I'm going to sing a song Mother hated," Jeffrey-as-Edie announced before tackling "Lili Marlene." The song list for this show included "Tea for Two," "As Time Goes By" and "Auld Lang Syne." (I recall Edie opening her act in '78 with "Don't Throw Bouquets at Me.")

There was a periodic and off-stage Q&A read to Edie from index cards that had been distributed to the crowd prior to the show. Jeffrey Johnson's replies were often clever and funny, displaying his improvisational skills and his ability to think on his open-toe heels.

Johnson's characterization of Little Edie was more bold and strident than the real-life demure socialite on whom it is based. Edie certainly did not break down onstage discussing the Grey Gardens estate. And Johnson's voice and accent failed to satisfy even if the patrician lingo sounded spot on.

In short, if you're simply looking for an evening of camp pleasure and some laughs, you might enjoy this act. If, however, you want something more in the way of verisimilitude, this may might not be your cup of tea for two.

L to R: Dj Buddy Beaverhausen, Richard Skipper, Jerry Torre (The Marble Faun)

Q&A with The Marble Faun of "Grey Gardens": Jerry Torre

The Marble Faun with the two Edie Beales of Grey Gardens

Like disco, argyle prints and saddle shoes, Grey Gardens, the 1975 documentary by David and Albert Maysles, is back in style. Thanks to a Broadway musical and an HBO movie based on the film in recent years, Grey Gardens has become an international cult sensation once more through revived interest, especially among a younger audience. The cinema verite film captures the love/hate relationship of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis' cousin and aunt (Little and Big Edie, respectively), fallen upon hard times in their decaying mansion in East Hampton.

Gerard (Jerry) Torre is one of two surviving members of the people featured in the film. The other is Lois Wright. Many years after filming, while driving a taxi in New York, Jerry happened to reunite by chance with the Maysles brothers on the streets of NYC. Little Edie & The Marble Faun, a play by David Lally, played The Metropolitan Playhouse's Annual Author Fest, from January 14–27, 2008. Jerry Torre -- who Little Edie dubbed "The Marble Faun" -- has been immortalized through the Maysles' movie.

My friend and colleague, Alyssa Goldberg, knows Jerry and suggested I contact him since I am a big Grey Gardens fan. When I learned more about his life, largely through Alyssa and, then, via his web site, I realized what a fascinating life he's led -- far beyond Grey Gardens. I contacted him and asked if he would do a Q&A for Leave It to Beaverhausen, to which he graciously consented. Thank you, Alyssa, and thank you, Jerry.

DJ Buddy Beaverhausen: Hello, Marble Faun! Jerry, are you aware that if you go to Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Marble Faun" page on Wikipedia, there's a link to your Web Page? That's how identified you've become with the title. What's that like?

Jerry Torre: "Why, it's The Marble Faun"  These were the first words Edie spoke the first time we met. My response was, ''I don`t know who that is. You see, I work for your neighbor, Mr. Geddes. There, I am an assistant gardener." I have [since] read [Hawthorne's] fanciful work, and see the richness in its story. There are many parallels to Nathaniel's Marble Faun and to my life.

DJBB: And what an amazing life in so many ways, as we're about to explore. How did you originally come to be at Grey Gardens, and what was your first impression of the two Edies? And how might that have changed as you came to know them better?

JT: It was a typical afternoon at Mr. Geddes' estate, in which I lived. There, I was hired as a live-in gardener's assistant. My duties were to maintain the grounds, keep the lawn cut, [keep the] leaves out of the swimming pool. It was routine maintenance on a large estate which had, long before my employment, been landscaped. Then, one summer day, I rode my blue ten-speed Puegeot towards a road I had not yet explored. The ocean could be heard from the road and the sun gleamed in the sky. Then, just out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a peak of a mansion. The estates around Georgica Pond are well maintained, so the least bit of overgrowth, or a lawn being slightly neglected, stood out. Then I continued riding down this very narrow road, and I could see a car in the driveway. My foot got caught in the pedal. I stumbled to regain my posture. I had discovered what looked like an abandoned mansion with thick overgrowth everywhere.

DJBB: What did you first think when Edie christened you "The Marble Faun"?

JT: Edie's personality was so filled with life. I felt immediately I had truly met a wonderful friend! We agreed the first day that I should return to speak with Mother about my working on the grounds. There was a mystery to the interior [of the Beales' home] that had me spellbound. I would stare into darkened rooms draped with cobwebs and my curiosity overwhelmed me.

DJBB: I'm sure you watched the 2009 HBO movie that received Golden Globes for Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore, and an Emmy for Lange. What did you think of that film and of their performances in terms of the real people you knew?

JT: I had prepared myself to be as objective as a person could be. I made myself forget the years of memories somehow. The film was a beautiful tribute to Mrs. Beale and to Edie. I felt that Drew played her heart out and Jessica embodied Mrs. Beale beautifully. When I saw it the second time, I then did compare the real life persons to the actors and, no doubt about it, the real thing is always unique.

Jerry reconnected w/ the Maysles Bros. while driving a cab

DJBB: The HBO film ends with Little Edie's legendary performance at Reno Sweeney. I was there, one night, in the audience. Were you? If so, what did you think?

JT: I did not attend Edie's three-day show at Reno Sweeney.

DJBB: There's the rumor that Jackie Onassis put the kibash on Edie's performing and even stopped Tom Snyder from airing an interview with Edie.  Do you think this is fact or fiction?

JT: You see, I'm not at all sure if this is fact or fiction. I know Edie did have many interviews after Grey Gardens.  

DJBB: Talking about Jackie, I've heard it rumored you actually befriended her. Is that true? What was it like hanging around with a First Lady of the United States? And is the rumor true that you took her to The Anvil? If so, what did she make of that experience?

JT: That summer afternoon, I had been smoking a cigarette on the front porch. A car pulls up and I, of course, think it is just another fan. Still looking at the car, a driver exits the front of the car to open the rear door. A woman steps out, wearing a kerchief. I stamp out my cigarette. Brushing off my sweatshirt, my eyes focused. I froze! Yes, just yards in front of me is The First Lady of The United States. EXTENDING HER HANDS!

"My Aunt and cousin have grown fond of you, they trust you." "Yes, thank you, I'm here to help with anything possible." ''I am to expect workmen to arrive to begin renovations. Would you be willing to let them into the mansion?" 'Yes, of course." My impressions of Mrs. Onassis were that she was so gentle and so soft spoken. I found her eyes to be that of a wise person.... Mrs. Onassis extended herself and found me very funny. I think I was the lighter part of her duties with Grey Gardens. 

We did go out together and I had suggested my place, The Anvil. We drove past the Anvil laughing about the men outside. "This was not exactly what I had in mind," said Mrs. Onassis. Our relationship was very easy and [at Grey Gardens], we both felt as if we had a mission to accomplish.
 
DJBB: Oh, my God, the paparazzi would have had a field day had you taken Jackie O into The Anvil! I understand you also hung out with her sister, Lee Radziwell?

JT: It was only days after Mrs. Onassis showed up [that Radziwell appeared]. I had no idea who she was except Lee was fascinated that I actually had gained entrance to the mansion. Lee had tried to speak with Edie who, at that time, would not let her into the mansion. Lee had arrived at the mansion a few times that first summer. We sat out on the front porch. I was in charge of drinks, so we drank Gin Gimlets. Lee had taken a liking to me and so, many years later, we once again met up at the opening night of the musical, Grey Gardens. We sat in the front row. It was so special to share that memory with Lee after all those years.

DJBB: So, you saw Grey Gardens, the Broadway musical. And what did you think, as you're portrayed in it? There's a whole "Corn" number!

Christine Ebersole and Jerry

JT: I loved the musical on Broadway! Saw it at least 25 times. I followed the progress from Playwrights Horizons to Broadway. Christine Ebersole , Mary Louise Wilson, the entire cast were so dear to me. I felt loved each time we all met. It was a perfect tribute to Mrs.Beale and Edie. The very venue that they had sought all the years they had lived in that isolated mansion had finally been realized. It was all things Grey Gardens; real magic! I felt Scott Frankel's interpretation [portraying Jerry] of our affection towards each other was beautifully played out in "Jerry Likes My Corn." That song is an honor, for it is so sentimental! I love it. 

DJBB: A legend has grown around the original documentary internationally. What do you make of its current revival and renewed interest?

JT: Years ago, I would come home from work and try to sleep and I would reminisce about Grey Gardens. I did not own a copy of the film until recently. Through the years, I have shared my story with those who found it fascinating. It was never easy to explain. I would sit on the front porch, thinking of how my friends might find Mrs.Beale and Edie as fascinating as I. The years passed, then the musical and the reinterest! It is like a wave off the ocean; it continues to enter my everyday life with unexpected fan mail. It is the very nature of such a unique story. I understand the fascination for I was the first fan of Grey Gardens. I am still fascinated. It is very exciting and it brings people together.

The international phenomenon Grey Gardens has become

DJBB: What gardens do you currently love that are not grey?

JT: Brookyln Botanical Gardens, The New York Horticultural Society. Conservatory Gardens. My own garden here where I live. These are my favorite gardens aside from grey.
 
DJBB: Far beyond Grey Gardens, you've gone to Saudi Arabia to work for King Faisal. Can you fill us in on that experience?

JT: I had been trying to find overseas employment; at the time, many friends were making good money in the Middle East. Robert, my partner, had a brother-in-law who set up an interview for me. It was in the Barclay Hotel. I went and, when asked my credentials, I said, ''I only have strong hands and can work in landscaping."

I was awkward and thought I did not have a chance. The next day, I was hired! A few weeks after, I was... flown to... Saudi Arabia. My duties were caretaker for the Royal Family. I was their sole caretaker, tending to their stable of horses, which meant feeding, grooming. I was also responsible for a huge greenhouse and its air-conditioning. I quickly became liked by a young man who was a Fahd. I was paid a great deal of money. The job was lavish and I had many trips to many cities [from Saudi Arabia] including Egypt, Italy, Greece, London. 

DJBB: You're a sculptor, an artist. Could you tell us more about your current work and 
what you're up to and comment on your future plans?
 
JT: I carve stone at The Art Students League of New York. It is my greatest love, applying my learned skills to stone. I'm a free-style stone carver, which allows me great freedom. The subjects I carve and from my mind and not "academic." My plans are to begin studying anatomy, and branching out to classical sculpture. My future plans are to live and study carving in Pietrasanta, Italy. In the near future, I am going to enroll for summer classes in Italy, outside the city of Carrara. I plan on retaining a semester of instruction from master stone carvers.

DJBB: Jerry, good luck and thank you so much for your time in answering these questions. May Grey Gardens always be with you, wherever you travel. This music video is dedicated to you -- and to all the people of Grey Gardens and your fans.



You can find out more about Jerry at his web site: http://themarblefaun.com/