The Marilyn Tapes Runs May 15 to June 26 at Don't Tell Mama

Marilyn Monroe’s legendary romances with the likes of Joe DiMaggio, Arthur Miller and Kennedy brothers Bobby and Jack, her bouts with pills and booze, and her on and off screen overpowering sensuality dominate the myth of Marilyn. Few knew that this image belied the real Marilyn. In unraveling the Marilyn myth, actor/writer Lenore Zann reveals the truth behind the headlines with her dazzling portrayal of the screen goddess who was anything but a dumb blond. Critically acclaimed in Canada, The Marilyn Tapes, presented by ALCHIMIA and LZ Productions will run May 15 - June 26 at Restaurant Row’s popular Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th Street.

A rat-pack era nightclub provides the setting for Marilyn to banter with her musical director, Billy (played by David Raleigh) and muse on the turns her life has taken, from the 16-year-old Norma Jean Baker to Playboy’s first centerfold to the pinnacle of Hollywood. Looking beyond the manufactured image of Marilyn the movie star, Zann paints a picture of an unloved and lonely young woman who hid behind the façade of tight gowns and wavy blonde hair. She shows us a Marilyn of intelligence and passion, one deeply committed to civil rights and social justice.

Written and performed by Australian actress Lenore Zann (as Marilyn Monroe) with David Raleigh (as Billy, her musical director). Music and lyrics by Cliff Jones.

Inspired by the recently found “long-lost tapes” of a 1962 recording session with Marilyn Monroe prior to her death, The Marilyn Tapes leads us on a poetic musical journey into the legend: the dramatic, lonely yet ultimately transcendent, roller-coaster ride of her life.

Monroe has been a part of Zann’s performing career since she was first cast in the rock musical Hey Marilyn. Zann also starred in Marilyn Bowering’s play Anyone Can See I Love You. The Marilyn Tapes combine Bowering’s play with monologues written by Zann and music and lyrics by Cliff Jones. Her performances in Canadian productions of the show drew critical raves. “Lenore Zann takes sex goddess over the edge in The Marilyn Tapes. She exudes the kind of dreamy warmth and giddy giggle Monroe had and is completely convincing as this complex character. Zann’s slide into Monroe’s final nightmare is quite amazing,” stated The Chronicle Herald, Halifax.

“On stage, Zann doesn’t merely impersonate Monroe. She invests some of the Monroe spirit with her own personal joie de vivre, suggesting Marilyn is spoofing her own image while remaining detached from it,” noted The Toronto Star. Summing it up, The Edmonton Journal cheered, “A Star is Born.”

Zann has starred in film, on TV and in numerous plays in The U.S. and Canada including Unidentified Human Remains and The True Nature of Love. She is currently shooting a recurring role in the Stephen King mini-series The Kingdom. She is the voice of Lorca on Dragon Tales and Wendy Waters on Rescue Heroes, a popular Canadian TV show.

A child prodigy, David Raleigh, came to national attention, winning the “Star Search” Competition. Since then he has garnered critical acclaim for his songwriting skills and piano virtuosity, playing the great rooms throughout Europe and the USA. He appeared in two German feature films as himself and recently released his second CD, “Never Alone”.

Performances are Sundays, May 15, 22, 29 @ 8 pm, Wednesday June 1 @ 9pm, Sundays, June 5, 12, 19, 26 @ 8 pm. Don’t Tell Mama is located at 343 West 46th Street (Restaurant Row).

Tickets are $ 20 with a 2drink minimum. $ 5 Discount for MAC, TRU, B2B and Parrizzi Network Members. For reservations, call: 212-757-0788

Please visit www.themarilyntapes.com for more information on The Marilyn Tapes.