Marilyn is Theatreworks first production

Marilyn: Forever Blonde, The Marilyn Monroe Story in Her Own Words and Music, the acclaimed, award-winning one woman play comprising the life of Marilyn Monroe, is to get its Arkansas premiere presented by Arkansas TheatreWorks, and performed at the Central Theatre, in downtown Hot Springs. Preview performances are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, May 4 and 5, followed by the official opening on Friday night, May 6. Since its American premiere in 2007, the show has won 12 major awards, including the Lee Hartgrave Award for Best Actress in a Play, the Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Road Show 2008-2009, along with others for Best Costumes, Best Set, Best Lighting, and "Best Theatrical Event of the Season." The play takes place at a photo shoot just prior to Marilyn's untimely death. She is 36 years old and while she still is beautiful, she has lost some of the little girl charm that made her Hollywood's biggest star in the 20th Century Fox prime of her early twenties. Divorced for the third time and now living alone, frustrated by Hollywood and tired of the label ‘sex symbol', Marilyn longs to be respected for her talent and loved for who she really is rather than the character she has created for the silver screen. She wonders what it would be like to do it all over again... In her portrayal of the legendary blonde, Sunny Thompson convincingly recreates the voice, singing style, body movement, and, most effectively, the vulnerability of Marilyn. The play features 17 songs, such as "Diamond's Are a Girl's Best Friend" and "My Heart Belongs to Daddy", written by some of the greatest songwriters in the business, including Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. Sunny Thompson (Marilyn) travelled the world performing in musical revues and in Off Broadway productions before settling in Spain, where she became a music video star. She has recorded eight albums, had her single "Te Necesito" go gold, headlined "Showgirls" at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, starred in her own shows for Harrah's at the famed Sammy's Showroom in Reno and the celebrated Southshore Room, Lake Tahoe. Greg Thompson (Writer & Producer) has been one of the world's top producers of musical revues for more than 35 years. He has produced more than 500 productions for both the stage and TV and won numerous awards. Stephanie Shine (Director) is Artistic Director of Seattle Shakespeare Company, the premier classical theatre in Washington State. She has produced 30 main house productions and 17 late night cabarets there. 'Marilyn: Forever Blonde' will play at the Central Theatre (1008 Central Avenue, Hot Springs) from Wednesday, May 4 through Sunday May 16. Performances are Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m Tickets are priced at $22.50 - $32.50, and may be purchased by calling the Arkansas TheatreWorks office at (501) 922-6899, or online by visiting their website at http://www.arktwks.org/. Subscriptions for the entire five play TheatreWorks season, including Marilyn: Forever Blonde, are still available at a 30% discount over the single ticket price. Call the TheatreWorks office for further details.