Juniper Productions Presents Amber Hargroder's MARILYN MONROE, WHOEVER YOU ARE, Now thru 6/1

Juniper Productions presents the remount of Marilyn Monroe, Whoever You Are written, directed and performed by Amber Hargroder. This production is a revised version of the original show "Monroe," which had a successful run in 2013 at the Public House Theater. Marilyn Monroe, Whoever You Are will run today, May 29 - June 1, 2014 at The Den Theatre.

Marilyn Monroe is alone in a room filled with her memories, dark and otherwise, trying to find a way to escape her troubled past. The one way out is through the story of her life, peeling away the layers of her iconic character one by one to reveal the true person behind the façade. In this one-woman-show, Amber Hargroder shows a Marilyn that is rarely explored, revealing that her struggles were contemporary ones. She was a complicated, ambitious and smart woman who wanted to be taken seriously as an actor and loved for who she really was, rather than as the dumb blonde character that she had created. Local Playwright Amber Hargroder's "thoughtful, funny and deeply poignant" (Newcity Stage) production reappears for the final time.

"Hargroder's writing and performance very skillfully captures the fragility, brilliance and ultimate madness of this fallen giant," according to Newcity Stage. In addition, the Chicago Reader said, "Performing in song, dance, and monologue, Hargroder has the physical resemblance to Monroe, and a winning impersonation of her baby-girl speak - the charming, if affected, dumb-blonde voice."

Audience members will be able to use their silenced phones during the performance to interact with the show through social media, using the hashtag #monroeshow. In addition, the entire performance will be filmed and placed online. The show will close on June 1st, in celebration of Marilyn Monroe's birthday.

The creative team for Marilyn Monroe, Whoever You Are includes Nora Best (co-producer, stylist & choreographer), Bill Daniel (assistant director), John Szymanski (music director), Sammi Grant (dialect/vocal coach), Rick Schuler (graphic designer), and David Holcombe (filmmaker).

Amber Hargroder (playwright, producer, designer, performer) is a Chicago playwright/actor who helps other artists produce their own work through her website, www.amberhargroder.com. She has performed as a clown and improviser, as well as in Paula Vogel's Desdemona: A Play About a Handkerchief at the Prop Theatre. She has spent nearly three years researching and portraying Marilyn Monroe, and is thankful for all of the work that the entire team has devoted to this production.

Nora Best (co-producer, stylist, designer and choreographer) has been involved with Chicago theater for nearly 10 years. Coming from a background in theater, dance, and music she has done a little of everything in various productions throughout Illinois. In 2012 she co-founded Plan9 Burlesque. Their character based burlesque style has allowed her to incorporate dancing, comedy, and intelligence into all her burlesque productions. Her background in teasing and titillating was her gateway into Monroe. As the choreographer/movement coach she's been able to work within Marilyn to explore the iconic sexiness as well as the fragile vulnerability that ultimately proved fatal for the great star.

Performances will be tonight, May 29th at 7:30pm, Friday, May 30th at 7:30pm, Saturday, May 31st at 7:30pm, and Sunday, June 1st at 3pm at the Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. Tickets are $20.

To post a comment, you must register and login.