Marilyn Monroe musical to be presented in Las Vegas
Actress and model Marilyn Monroe became one of the most popular Hollywood sex symbols of the 1950s, and, despite her short 36 years of life (born June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, died Aug. 5, 1962, in Los Angeles), numerous blonde bombshells on television and the silver screen have tried to follow in her footsteps ever since.
But there was only one Marilyn Monroe, and now a group of rotating celebrity singer-actresses is being sought to portray the screen legend in a new musical headed to Las Vegas. That target list includes Gwen Stefani (performing at our Keep Memory Alive “Power of Love Gala” on Thursday), Kate Hudson, Christina Aguilera, Katy Perry, Christina Applegate, Lindsay Lohan and sisters Jessica Simpson and Ashlee Simpson.
Early next week, we should know which Hollywood starlet will take the starring role in the Las Vegas showcase for the new musical to be presented at Mark Shunock’s charity community arts complex The Space on June 1. Las Vegas VIPs will join with Strip hotel execs and Las Vegas theater operators to watch the presentation and wrestle over which property lands the musical.
Here’s a video of its recent California production. The showcase for a potential Las Vegas theater comes as the result of a sold-out performance at the 1,400-seat Alex Theater in Glendale, California. Marilyn’s story comes to life thanks to British producer and director Tegan Summer, who wrote the book and lyrics. Marilyn would have marked her 91st birthday this year.
Tegan told me: “Interviews I had with her chauffer, her boyfriend, Bill Pursel, before she married Joe DiMaggio, Don Murray and her ‘Bus Stop’ co-star and her Actors Studio scene partner James Karen gave me unprecedented material. She was the world’s most famous sex symbol and icon, and her style and influence left an indelible imprint on the entire world.
“She became the epitome of The American Dream as a girl who was brought up in an orphanage, yet found Hollywood stardom. Her complex story is told in a struggle of Norma Jean becoming Marilyn Monroe. All Norma Jean wanted was to escape her circumstances and become a big star, yet when she became Marilyn Monroe, all she wanted was to be a regular girl.
“She once said, ‘Beneath the makeup and behind the smile, I am just a girl who wishes for the world.’ Our Las Vegas showcase will highlight 60 minutes of the most dynamic music, dance and writing.”
