Marilyn- An American Fable — Page 2

evic said: "Looked and sounded like a classic FLOP.that must have been painful to sit through. Alyson always had a nice figure-until she got fat. She was also a terrific dancer-before she got fat. Willy's number was a groaner. Mary was always fat"

Wow real classy

Yes, this was ghastly.

But it was one of those bad things that you couldn't wait to see how bad it was going to be next.It was one bad thing after another. Heaven, if you're sick of mediocrity and long for something truly dreadful.

No one seems to have mentioned a 3 actor/singer chorus called "Destiny" that followed Marilyn throughout the show. Horrible idea.

Herbaldiva said: "Hi, I WASTHE ORIGINAL MARILYN in the musical "Marilyn, An American Fable."

Well 35 years later someone just sent this link to me. Today was the 1st time I ever got to see any footage of the musical.Seeing this really hit me hard . There were issues with the show ie:I addressed the 1st act needed more of Norman Jean's horrible childhood to show why she was so vulnerable, etc. Many songs I originated were cut and then they cheapen so much like the "Miss Bubbles" # weak.

The TRUTH is the Australian producers ran out of $ to finish the show, the computerized sets were sabotaged as we discovered1st day of tech rehearsals 10 days b4 opening. Then new $$ came in I was fired along with several other cast members & Kenny Ortega was fired. They thought they could simply cut songs (which I havethe rights to perform)&throw new ppl in and put on a show. Plus Many other issues but I won't go into them.

If you're interested at all, here's a link to my interviews and then a performance I did as Marilyn years later. Leeza Gibbons -Entertainment Tonight was filming a documentary of the Making of a Broadway musical for weeks. When I was let go Leeza wanted to finish the project with what happens when you put in all that time and then get fired. I had to avoid telling the REAL Truths for legals reasons at the time.

I apologize upfront for the bad lighting cues but at least b4 cell phones someone capture this for me.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuEJWm53OQE&feature=youtu.be&t=2s

Sincerely,Geralyn Petchel"

As an unknown actor you got to tell the producers and creatives, what you felt needed fixing? I cannot imagine why you got fired

I saw both the London take on the story of MM and the Broadway take.

IMO the London version was much better than the Broadway version, which was atrociously bad. The London show was much more ambitious, with a huge 'but'. It struck me as an attempt to make a musical about MM, but to ripoff Evita as much as possible in the process. The thing I most remember was that there was a Che Guevara type character who, as I recall, played 'the camera',never part of the story, but always commenting on it. The concept was not bad, and the production looked expensive, highly professional, etc.; but I kept wondering when the camera was going to break into one of Che's songs. It just was derivative. II would also point out that the actor playing the camera made a much stronger impression than the actress playing MM,which was not good. Bottom line: I was never bored, frequently entertained, and thought it might have been a hit had it opened BEFORE Evita.

The Broadway version was a mess, with all kinds of derivative characters playing roles that had nothing to do with the story. There were -- I think -- three people playing gossip columnists, commenting on the goings on; two -- I think -- who played fans involve with MM, and a third set, but I cant remember what they were. Her husbands??? The only thing I remember with even remote fondness was the number trying to play homage to Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend. As I recall, Allyson Reed was fine as MM, and looked great in a fire engine red spangly dress during the Diamonds homage. But what a mess. i still find it hard to believe that anyone would have invested in the show in the first place, since the score was lousy and the book totally lame.

Anyone who remembers this with fondness either didn't actually see it OR it was the first show they ever saw (which creates memories regardless of quality issues) or was on drugs the night of the performance. It was a lot of money spent on a hopeless mess.

Loopin’theloop said: "

As an unknown actor you got to tell the producers and creatives, what you felt needed fixing? I cannot imagine why you got fired"

calm the flip down, dude.

Herbaldiva said: "Thank you for your reply."

thank you for coming to share with us!!

This place can be a nest of vipers sometimes and I'm sorry you've experienced some of them your first day here!!

As an unknown actor you got to tell the producers and creatives, what you felt needed fixing? I cannot imagine why you got fired"

Are you kidding? You are obviously not an actor. Or an amateur at that. That is WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR IN DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESSES. To tell producers and creators what we think. {edited by BWW staff}. That is what workshops and labs and readings, and out of town tryouts are about! Development. Most producers aren’t creative producers. WE as actors aid in making the projects successful. With our opinions and voices. Without us, these shows don’t exist. This comment was insulting.

Updated On: 10/25/18 at 03:00 AM