MARILYN MADNESS AND ME Opens Friday at Indian Wells Theatre

Actress Alison Janes will reprise her role as Marilyn Monroe in the critically acclaimed play "Marilyn, Madness and Me" when it opens at 7 p.m. Friday for a two-night run on March 9 and 10 at Indian Wells Theatre. The theater is located on the Cal State San Bernardino Palm Desert campus, 37500 Cooke St. Palm Desert CA 92260.

For tickets, click here or visit https://pdc.csusb.edu/theater-events.

"I am looking forward to going on stage and reprising this amazing role," said Janes whose performance when she originated the role earned her a Best Actress nomination by Broadway World. "Marilyn was an icon, and, because she lived prior to the internet and died so young, people never really saw who she was behind the public persona. Showing this little-known and deeply human side of Marilyn is what I find really exciting about this play."

The play tells the story of Tim, played by Adam Meyer, who met Marilyn and became obsessed with her through his first-person account of her final days before her sudden passing from a drug overdose in 1963. Written by longtime TV writer/producer Frank V. Furino, known for such television shows as "Dallas," "Falcon Crest," "Flamingo Road," and others, the play is directed by Joe Leonardo whose work includes "It's Better with a Band," "Me and My Girl," and "Grand Hotel" among others.

Having been intrigued by Marilyn Monroe since childhood, Janes finds common ground with the ill-fated movie icon. "Marilyn and her personal struggles are very relatable. She wasn't taken seriously in her industry, and experienced significant abuse and harassment. With similar issues being highlighted throughout many industries today, I think we can all see a little bit of ourselves in her," Janes said. "I try to find the deeply human and relatable qualities of hers, rather than just do an impersonation of what people think she was like. It's a tragic story, but a very compelling one which still resonates today."

A New Hampshire native, Janes has starred in films such as "Morbid Minutes" with Director Ted Raimi and "Tangled Love", shows including "Missing Person Finders," "One Day," and "The Finer Things in Life." and stage productions as "The Phantom of the Opera" (Christine, International Tour), "Candide" (Cundegonde), "Sweeney Todd" (Johanna), "Pirates of Penzance" (Mabel) and many others.

With a remarkable soprano voice, Janes is also an accomplished singer and musician as well as a recording artist. She is currently working on her debut album.

For more information on Alison Janes, visit www.AlisonJanes.com.

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