Marilyn: An American Fable is a musical with a book by Patricia Michaels and music and lyrics by Jeanne Napoli, Doug Frank, Gary Portnoy, Beth Lawrence, and Norman Thalheimer.

History

Not to be confused with the West End production Marilyn! starring Stephanie Lawrence, this allegedly "authorized" version (officially endorsed by acting coach Lee Strasberg's wife Anna), while also based on events in the life of screen icon Marilyn Monroe, was a highly fictionalized account, complete with a happy ending, set on a huge, vacant Hollywood soundstage. The production underwent numerous changes throughout its development period. During rehearsals, original star Geralyn Petchel was replaced by Alyson Reed in the role of Norma Jean/Marilyn Monroe, and Danielle DuClos was replaced by Kristi Coombs as Young Norma Jean. After previews began, director/choreographer Kenny Ortega was replaced by Thommie Walsh and Baayork Lee, although Ortega retained credit in the program. Ten musical numbers were dropped and forty-five minutes of dialogue were excised before opening night. Among the characters retained were young Norma Jean Baker, who interacted with her adult self, and a Greek chorus-like trio called Destiny, who provided a running commentary about the sex goddess's woes.

Production

The musical opened on Broadway on November 20, 1983 at the Minskoff Theatre, and closed on December 3, 1983, after only seventeen performances and 34 previews. In addition to Reed, the cast included Scott Bakula (making his Broadway debut) as Joe DiMaggio, Willie Falk (as Tommy), Will Gerard as Arthur Miller, and Kristi Coombs as young Norma Jean. Reed was nominated for the 1984 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical.

Songs

Act I SCENE 1: A SOUNDSTAGE, HOLLYWOOD LAND SCENE 2: UNDER THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS, 1934 – 1942 SCENE 3: THE PARACHUTE FACTORY, 1945 SCENE 4: OVERSEAS SCENE 5: AGENT'S HOME, HOLLYWOOD SCENE 6: STUDIO EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE SCENE 7: THE SOUNDSTAGE, 1948 – 1953 SCENE 8: A MOVIE BALCONY SCENE 9: THE SOUNDSTAGE, 1955 SCENE 10: MARILYN'S DRESSING ROOM SCENE 11: DIMAGGIO'S RESTAURANT SCENE 12: PREMIER NIGHT Act 2 SCENE 1: MARILYN'S BEDROOM SCENE 2: SOUNDSTAGE SCENE 3: NEW YORK CITY, 1956 – 1960 SCENE 4: NEW YORK PENTHOUSE SCENE 5: NEW YORK TO HOLLYWOOD SCENE 6: SOUNDSTAGE

Critical reception

In The New York Times, Frank Rich wrote "Marilyn is incoherent to the point of being loony. I defy anyone to explain - just for starters - why 10 chorus boys dressed in pink plumbers' costumes sing a song about bubble baths at the climax of Act II."

Awards and nominations

1984 Drama Desk Nomination

Also see