Marilyn the Musical

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## Production History

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* S1
* S2

Pilot

The idea for a musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe was first considered in Tom's living room. Tom's assistant, Ellis had left a copy of the book "Wanted Woman: Marilyn Monroe" on the coffee table. This leads Ellis to mention that her life would make a great musical. Tom and Julia disagree with Ellis stating that there already was a Marilyn musical (Marilyn: An American Fable) which was a huge flop, plus the market is oversaturated with movies, books, and even an app for the iPad. As Tom continues to consider the idea, he mentions that it could have a baseball-themed musical number since she married Joe DiMaggio. When Julia returns home, she pitches that idea of a Marilyn musical to her husband Frank and son Leo. Leo does not know her Marilyn Monroe and Frank is annoyed at the idea of "Marilyn the Musical" because Julia promised to take the year off of writing musicals so that they could focus on adopting a baby. Julia poses the question of how Marilyn's life could become a musical and Frank mentions that it could include scenes from the movies and a baseball musical number. Later in bed, Julia is watching a scene from "Some Like It Hot", clearly mesmerized by Marilyn.

Tom and Julia go on to write a song for the show (Never Give All the Heart) and Tom suggests they call Ivy to sing for the Demo recording. Frank finds out about this and is upset that Julia is moving forward with a new project. Julia cites Marilyn's last interview where she said "Please don't make me a joke." and how she is deeply inspired by Marilyn, not wanting anyone else to write the musical. Later, when Tom is rehearsing with Ivy, he expresses that he's happy to be writing with Julia again. During the recording session, Ellis secretly records the song and emails it to his mother who ultimately posts it online. Tom fires Ellis for leaking the private recording session. The video gets shared around the internet. Michael Riedel writes a column where he mentions that he loves Marilyn Monroe and Houston/Levitt, thinking the song is a smash. Karen also finds the video online and sings along with it.

Ellis manages to get his job back and Tom catches him up on the musical's progress, mentioning that it would be great to have some input since it was "his idea". By this point, they have a story outline and three songs. One of these songs is the baseball musical number, The National Pastime.

Eileen calls Tom and Julia with interest on producing their musical. She pitches Derek Will to direct and Tom expresses his resistance to working with Derek due to having an unpleasant experience with Derek in the past. Julia is tempted by the suggestion as she admires his talent. Eileen convinces them to let Derek look at the material and audition his vision for them. Meanwhile, Derek is also hesitant to work with Tom again and mentions that *Marilyn: An American Fable* was a huge flop but Eileen gets him to stage one of the musical numbers. Derek presents his direction and choreography of Pastime for Tom, Julia, Eileen, and Ellis, with Ivy playing the role of Marilyn. Everyone is impressed the performance but Tom is still opposed to working Derek because he is a "terrible human being". Eileen expresses her determination to get Derek signed on as director and get a workshop started.

At the audition for the title role, many of the actresses are dressed as Marilyn. Present at the auditions are Derek, Tom, Julia, Eileen, Moira, and Ellis. The creative team debates celebrities who could play the role as they're not pleased with many of the women auditioning. Karen auditions with the song Beautiful and impresses the majority of the team, except for Tom who wants Ivy to play the role. Ultimately Karen gets a callback for the role and is told that they liked that she didn't play the sex but now want her to play the sex. Dev helps her prepare for the audition by watching "Some Like It Hot". Ivy also gets a callback.

While in bed with her boyfriend, Karen gets a text from Derek asking for her to come to his apartment. When she arrives, Derek and Karen discuss the role and it is made clear that Karen is expected to have sex with Derek. Karen sings him a breathy rendition of "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" before telling him that it's "not going to happen" and leaves.

At the callbacks, Karen and Ivy sing Let Me Be Your Star for the creative team.

The Callback

Four days after the first round of callbacks, the creative team is still deciding who should play Marilyn. Tom wants Ivy to get the role, while the rest of the team is torn between her and Karen. It is ultimately decided to host another round of callbacks to see the two girls perform scene work and Karen's dancing.

At the first dance rehearsal, Derek explains that Karen will be learning the choreography to The 20th Century Fox Mambo. Josh, Derek's Associate Choreographer, also called in four dancers to perform as the Film Crew. One of the dancers is Dennis. Karen showed up late and had to be shown the first combination three times.

On Broadway

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## Synopsis

### ACT ONE

Before she was Marilyn Monroe, she was Norma Jeane. At the top of show she stands alone in a pool of light with young women exactly like her, each one echoing her insecurities. Norma Jeane professes her all consuming drive to be a movie star ("LET ME BE YOUR STAR").

Norma Jeane changes her name to Marilyn Monroe. A smart agent get Marilyn a screen test for 20th Century Fox ("THE 20TH CENTURY FOX MAMBO"). The screen test does the trick, and Marilyn and becomes a star. Famed Yankee slugger Joe DiMaggio sees her picture in a magazine and asks her out. Marilyn & Joe have their date and it lasts well past dawn ("HISTORY IS MADE AT NIGHT"). Marilyn goes straight to the ball field for some due diligence ("THE NATIONAL PASTIME").

### ACT TWO

Joe does his best to domesticate Marilyn with the promise of a simpler life ("MR. & MRS. SMITH"). While honeymooning in Japan, Marilyn is asked to perform for the troops in Korea. Joe sees firsthand how men react to her and how she loves it ("I NEVER MET A WOLF WHO DIDN'T LOVE TO HOWL").

On location on the streets of New York City, Marilyn shoots the famous skirt blowing up scene for Billy Wilder's *The Seven Year Itch*, and the public display enrages Joe ("ON LEXINGTON & 52ND STREET"), who leaves her ("NEVER GIVE ALL THE HEART"). Marilyn wonders if always having to prove herself will ever stop ("THEY JUST KEEP MOVING THE LINE").

Flash forward to Marilyn back in Hollywood filming *Some Like It Hot*. She is so unhappy with still having to play the dumb blonde that she begins spiraling down, keeping the crew waiting more than ever, as she drinks and takes pills ("LET'S BE BAD").

## Scenes & Musical Numbers

### Musical Numbers

#### Act I

* "Let Me Be Your Star" - Norma Jeane
* "The 20th Century Fox Mambo" - Marilyn & Film Crew
* "The National Pastime" - Marilyn & Ball Players
* Marilyn Joe Duet

#### Act II

* Joe + Marilyn Break Up
* "Never Give All the Heart" - Marilyn
* Some Like It Hot #

### Casting History

#### Marilyn Monroe

* **Auditioned:** Francine Carlin, Lisa McMann, Karen Cartwright, Ivy Lynn
* **Considered:** Scarlett Johansson, Kristin Chenoweth

## Production Credits

* **Music:** Tom Levitt
* **Book & Lyrics:** Julia Houston
* **Director & Choreography:** Derek Wills
* **Casting:** Moira
* **Associate Choreographer:** Josh
* **Production Stage Manager:** Linda
* **Producer:** Eileen Rand
* **Personal Assistant to Mr. Levitt:** Ellis Boyd
* **Personal Assistant to Ms. Rand:** Scott