Marilyn! the Musical
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Introduction to "Marilyn! the Musical"
"Marilyn! the Musical" premiered in London’s West End at the Adelphi Theatre on March 17, 1983, running for 156 performances until August 1983. Conceived as a vehicle for Stephanie Lawrence, this musical features music by Mort Garson and a book and lyrics by Jacques Wilson. Directed by Larry Fuller, it starred Lawrence as Marilyn Monroe, alongside John Christie as Joe DiMaggio, John Bennett as Arthur Miller, and David Firth in supporting roles. Produced by Mort Garson and Michael White, the show aimed to capture the glamour and tragedy of Monroe’s life, following a poorly received Broadway debut earlier that year. Though its West End run outlasted its American counterpart, mixed reviews and a modest legacy mark it as a heartfelt but flawed tribute to Hollywood’s iconic star.
The Creative Team Behind the Show
Mort Garson composed the score, bringing a lush, cinematic feel to Marilyn’s story, while Jacques Wilson crafted the book and lyrics, focusing on her emotional arc. Larry Fuller, who had directed Lawrence in "Evita," helmed the production, with choreography reflecting Monroe’s on-screen allure. Stephanie Lawrence, a rising West End star, embodied Marilyn with a performance critics hailed as “magnetic,” supported by John Christie’s rugged DiMaggio and John Bennett’s cerebral Miller. David Firth and Bruce Barry rounded out the cast, with Judith Bruce adding depth. Producers Garson and Michael White aimed for a splashy bio-musical, but despite Lawrence’s acclaim and Fuller’s polish, the creative vision struggled to unify its ambitious scope, echoing its Broadway stumble.
A Star’s Life on Stage
The musical traces Marilyn Monroe’s journey from Norma Jeane to Hollywood legend, opening with her early struggles and first marriage to Jim Dougherty. It follows her rise through films like "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," spotlighting romances with Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, and her battles with fame’s darker side. Key scenes depict her studio clashes, pill dependency, and rumored Kennedy ties, with songs like "A Single Dream" and "Run Between Raindrops" weaving her triumphs and turmoil. The narrative peaks with her 1962 death staged as a poignant overdose ending in a reflective tableau of her legacy. While aiming for emotional depth, the plot’s episodic nature and uneven pacing diluted its impact, leaning heavily on Lawrence’s star turn to carry the show.
Performance and Reception
Opening after a disastrous 13-performance Broadway flop in November 1983, "Marilyn!" found a warmer West End welcome, running 156 shows bolstered by Lawrence’s draw and a London audience more open to its earnestness. Critics were split: The Guardian praised Lawrence’s “radiant” portrayal but called the show “patchy,” while The Times found its “sentimental” tone lacking bite. Audiences enjoyed her charisma and Garson’s melodies, yet many echoed Broadway’s gripes too long at nearly three hours, with a book that stumbled over Monroe’s complexity. A cast recording preserved its highlights, but its modest run reflected a production that shone brightest through its lead, not its structure, closing amid a season dominated by flashier hits.
Legacy in West End Theatre
"Marilyn! the Musical" outpaced its Broadway run but remains a footnote beside West End giants like "Cats." Its 156 performances and Lawrence’s praised turn couldn’t salvage a tepid critical legacy, with no major revivals since unlike "Evita," which Fuller and Lawrence had conquered. The show’s cast album retains a niche following, and its focus on Monroe foreshadowed later bio-musicals like "Tina," though with less finesse. A product of 1980s excess, it aimed to canonize a legend but faltered under its own weight. In London’s theatre annals, it’s a curious relic less a triumph than a testament to Lawrence’s star power and a cautionary tale of biographical ambition outstripping execution.