Review: Sunny Thompson Brings the Iconic Star Back to Life in MARILYN: FOREVER BLONDE

Like many from my generation, our love of screen icon Marilyn Monroe made her a star and continues to keep the flame of her incredibly hot sexual appeal alive. And while I have seen several performers take on the role. The amazing Sunny Thompson fully embodies the heart and soul, not just the heat and breathy voice we associate with the woman who encapsulated what a woman was supposed to look like long before the Kardasians were even born.

In the program, Sunny admits her future husband Greg Thompson was relentless in his pursuit of having her play the title role in his new play MARILYN: FOREVER BLONDE when they first met. But it was not until she married him two years later that she agreed to take on the all-consuming project, allowing him to bring director Stephanie Shine to the project following her more than 18 years as Artistic Director of the Seattle Shakespeare Company. Her vision of the enormity of Marilyn's influence on society transforms the production into a glorious recreation of Marilyn which transcends imitation, as Sunny truly embodies her look and voice, and seemingly channels the tortured, playful soul of Hollywood's greatest star. She also sings 17 of Marilyn's songs and changes into the star's famous, sexy outfits - all without ever leaving the stage!

The play begins shortly before Marilyn's death in 1962 as she poses on a white satin-sheet covered bed for what would be her final photo session. MARILYN: FOREVER BLONDE is a recreation of what might have been Marilyn's last chance to tell her own story in her own words. As conceived by award winning producer and writer Greg Thompson, the script has been painstakingly researched from hundreds of quotes from Marilyn herself and the result is two hours in Marilyn's presence thanks to Sunny Thompson's brilliantly authentic portrayal.

The words in the play are all Marilyn's own and the songs are all songs she sang in her movies although they are sung in a personal "storybook" style reflecting the part of her life story being told at the moment. From Bill Daugherty to Joe DiMaggio, Arthur Miller to John Kennedy, we are lovingly guided by the champagne-drinking Marilyn through the play which is funny, sad, witty, titillating, and sometimes scandalous. And of course, in the end it is truly heartbreaking as we watch the desperation of a woman lost in a world of Hollywood make-believe who just sought, but never found, her dream world of having her own family to take care of and love.
MARILYN: FOREVER BLONDE first played the El Portal in 2012 to rave reviews and sold out crowds. Since then it has been touring the world generating blockbuster box office and more rave reviews. Thompson has performed the play over 400 times across the United States, across Canada, with tours of New Zealand and England where the London Sunday Times called it "Extraordinary! It is rare to see something so authentic or so full of integrity and depth." I certainly agree with that assessment.

Audiences love Sunny and the show so much that there has been an incredible desire by many to be able to take her home with them so they can watch it again and again. In response on the night I attended at the El Portal, MARILYN: FOREVER BLONDE was being taped for a documentary video featuring all aspects of the production and performance from the application of Sunny's full-body makeup to her final curtain call. SO thank goodness, soon you will be able to take this incredible production home with you wherever you have your laptop, tablet, or television and you can be a part of it, live at El Portal!

Here are a few reasons why The El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood is the perfect place for this show. The theater sits next door to the Lankershim Elementary School that Monroe attended in the 1930's and in remembrance of little Norma Jeane, the venue dedicated it's Forum Theatre to Marilyn as "The Monroe Forum" in August 2012, marking the 50th anniversary of her death. I hope in the future that Sunny will return for additional performances, perhaps in the Monroe Forum, when the video is released. I will certainly be there!

Lipstick Productions in association with El Portal Theatre proudly presents the award-winning and critically acclaimed one woman play with music MARILYN: FOREVER BLONDE starring Sunny Thompson, directed by Stephanie Shine and written by Greg Thompson. The limited four performance run celebrating the life of Marilyn Monroe takes place this weekend from October 16 - 18, 2015, on Friday, October 16 at 8PM,
Saturday, October 17 at 3PM & 8PM, and Sunday, October 18 at 3PM at the historic El Portal Theatre Mainstage in the NOHO Arts District, North Hollywood, CA. Tickets are $56 or $66. For tickets and information please call 818-508-4200 or online at www.elportaltheatre.com.

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