MARILYN: FOREVER BLONDE Comes To Asolo Rep Mainstage

From June 18-July 10, 2011 Asolo Rep proudly presents the award-winning one-woman play with music, MARILYN: FOREVER BLONDE that has been hailed by Lee Hartgrave of the San Francisco Online Daily News as "one of the greatest performances of the Modern Stage!"

In its first year of production MARILYN: FOREVER BLONDE has won a dozen major awards including "Best Special Theatrical Event of the Year," "Best Leading Actress in a Play," and "One of the Year's Top Ten Productions." Playing across the United States from Hollywood to Boston critics have raved at Sunny Thompson's compelling and nuanced performance."

"Breath-taking, Picture Perfect" ~The Boston Globe

"Pitch Perfect Monroe" ~L.A. Weekly

"I quite forgot to breathe" ~L.A. Journal

"A star reborn" ~Washington Record Chronicle

"Amazingly captures the essence of Monroe." ~Broadway World

"Masterpiece" ~Mr. Blackwell - Times

"Mesmerizing, captivating" ~Calgary Sun

"Delectable....you can't take your eyes off her" ~ The London Times
"Thompson's performance is flawless!" ~New Zealand Herald

The Edge Weekly in Boston said, "Sunny Thompson IS Marilyn Monroe in a performance that is funny, touching, endearing and totally Marilyn."

The play features 17 songs by some of the greatest songwriters in the business. Songwriters from Irving Berlin to Harold Arlen to Johnny Mercer give Marilyn some of their best work. All of the play's songs were performed by Marilyn in one or another of her films and are used to help explain her story as she recounts a life of dreams and make-believe that catapulted her to the stars and ultimately found her crashing down to Earth to remain in our memory forever.

Written entirely from Marilyn's own words, the play takes place at a photo shoot just prior to Marilyn's untimely death. As she poses for a photographer she finds herself asking him what it might be like to do it all over again. She reveals much of what we know but even more about the roller coaster ride she took from an orphanage to the silver screen. It is a fascinating and provocative journey.

MARILYN: FOREVER BLONDE is directed by Stephanie Shine whose work can be seen regularly as she is Artistic Director of the Seattle Shakespeare Company. Written by Sunny's husband, Greg Thompson, who has produced dozens of award-winning shows throughout the world, the play languished on the shelf for a dozen years before Thompson found the right actress.

Thompson said he could find Marilyn Monroe impersonators who couldn't act and actresses who didn't give off the sexual playfulness of Monroe. "I didn't even think of Sunny as Marilyn until she put on a Marilyn styled wig to do a parody in her stage show," said Thompson. "I told her, have I got a show for you!"

Sunny turned down the offer explaining that no woman should ever have to be compared with Marilyn Monroe, but after two years of nagging Thompson got his way. "It took nearly 15 years to make it happen." said Thompson. "If I had to wait another 15 years I'm afraid I might have forgotten what it was about Marilyn Monroe that turned me on in the first place."

For more information about MARILYN: FOREVER BLONDE visit www.marilynforeverblonde.com

Sponsored by: COMCAST; Word of Mouth; SNN Local News 6; and Grapevine Communications

Co-Producers: Anonymous; Jim & Susan Buck; Katherine Harris & Anders Ebbeson; Hampton Inn & Suites Sarasota/Bradenton Airport; Dr. J. David & Lisa Holcomb, Holcomb Facial Plastic Surgery; Elita Krums-Kane; Bob & Joyce Tate; Bill & Margaret Wise; and Joan H. Wood.

In Asolo Rep's Mertz Theatre at 5555 North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, Florida. Free Parking.

Previews on Thursday June 16 & Friday June 17, at 8 p.m.

Opening Night is Saturday, June 18, at 8 p.m., followed by Asolo Rep's mingle-with-the-stars champagne afterparty in the lobby.

Performs Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., and 2 p.m. matinee performances on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Single Tickets: $17 to $65, depending on the show, day/time/seating, and method of purchase.

Groups: 10+ save up to 30%; call 941-351-9010 ext. 6013 or group_sales@asolo.org

Contact: Box office at 941-351-8000 or toll-free at 800-361-8388, or www.AsoloRep.org.

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