Marilyn: An American Fable

Marilyn
An American Fable
Music Jeanne Napoli
Doug Frank
Gary Portnoy
Beth Lawrence
Norman Thalheimer
Lyrics Jeanne Napoli
Doug Frank
Gary Portnoy
Beth Lawrence
Norman Thalheimer
Book Patricia Michaels
Basis The life of Marilyn Monroe
Productions 1983 Broadway

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.

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 Gerolyn Petchel was replaced by Alyson Reed, and 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.

After thirty-four previews, the Broadway production opened on November 20, 1983 at the Minskoff Theatre, where it ran for only seventeen performances. In addition to Reed, the cast included Scott Bakula (making his Broadway debut) as Joe DiMaggio, Will Gerard as Arthur Miller, and Kristi Coombs as young Norma Jean.

Reed was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical.

Songs

Act I

SCENE 1: A SOUNDSTAGE, HOLLYWOOD LAND

  • "We Are The Ones" – The Company

SCENE 2: UNDER THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS, 1934 – 1942

  • "Close the Door, Norma" – Destiny
  • "A Single Dream" – Young Norma Jean, Destiny
  • "Jimmy Jimmy" – Destiny, Norma Jean, Babs, Jim, Pat, Ensemble
  • "Church Doors" – Destiny

SCENE 3: THE PARACHUTE FACTORY, 1945

  • "Miss Parachute" – Photographer, Madge, Elda, Dottie, Ramona, Virginia

SCENE 4: OVERSEAS

  • "The Golden Dream" – Soldier

SCENE 5: AGENT'S HOME, HOLLYWOOD

  • "Uh-Huh" – Agent

SCENE 6: STUDIO EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE

SCENE 7: THE SOUNDSTAGE, 1948 – 1953

  • "Can't Keep My Heart From Racing" – Marilyn
  • "Money, Men, And More" – Marilyn, Men

SCENE 8: A MOVIE BALCONY

SCENE 9: THE SOUNDSTAGE, 1955

  • "I'll Send You Roses" – Joe, Marilyn
  • "Church Doors" – Destiny

SCENE 10: MARILYN'S DRESSING ROOM

SCENE 11: DIMAGGIO'S RESTAURANT

  • "I'll Send You Roses" (Reprise) – Joe, Marilyn

SCENE 12: PREMIER NIGHT

  • "It's A Premiere Night" – The Company
  • "Stairway Leading Nowhere" – Marilyn

 Act 2

SCENE 1: MARILYN'S BEDROOM

  • "We'll Help You Through The Night" – Destiny

SCENE 2: SOUNDSTAGE

  • "Shootin" – Marilyn, The Company
  • "Run Between The Raindrops" – Marilyn
  • "You Are So Beyond" – Tommy

SCENE 3: NEW YORK CITY, 1956 – 1960

  • "In Disguise" – Marilyn, Arthur, Ensemble
  • "A Special Man" – Destiny
  • "Church Doors" – Destiny

SCENE 4: NEW YORK PENTHOUSE

  • "Don't Hang Up The Telephone" – Joe, Marilyn

SCENE 5: NEW YORK TO HOLLYWOOD

  • "All Roads Lead To Hollywood" – Marilyn, The Company

SCENE 6: SOUNDSTAGE

  • "My Heart's An Open Door" – Marilyn, Joe
  • "Miss Bubbles" – Marilyn, Men's Ensemble
  • "A Single Dream" (Reprise) – Marilyn

Awards and Nominations

1984 Drama Desk Nomination

* Outstanding Actress in a Musical – Alyson Reed

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