Among the guests attending the opening night gala for the West Coast theatrical premiere of "Marylin ... MADNESS & Me" were those who worked with the plays subject matter, Marilyn Monroe, such as Dawn Wells who appeared as an extra in Monroe's last film, "The Misfits" and Oscar winner George Chakiris, who danced with Monroe in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." Other noted guests in attendance for the celebration included Judy Tenuta, Ilene Graff, Jerry Mathers, Florence Henderson, Michael Learned, Geri Jewell, Erin Murphy, Kate Linder, Jane Kean, Mrs. Dick "Cari" Clark and more. Scroll down for photos from the production and the festivities!
Owner and curator of The Hollywood Museum (http://www.thehollywoodmuseum.com), Donelle Dadigan, was on hand to give patrons a very special experience with a display of items, valued in excess of $2 million, from the personal collection of Marilyn Monroe and on loan from the museum (i.e. Marilyn's dress worn to greet the US service men and on her honeymoon with Joe DiMaggio, jewelry, an original copy of the LA Times declaring "Marilyn Monroe Found Dead," the medicine found on Marilyn's bedside table the night she died and more, etc.) The writer who gave television some of its favorite moments in entertainment with "Flamingo Road," "Dallas," "Falcon Crest," "The Colbys," "General Hospital," and "Dynasty," Frank V. Furino, has brought Marilyn Monroe back to life ... on stage in "Marylin ... MADNESS & Me," which is based on an original concept by Didier Bloch, under the direction of Joe Leonardo and opened in the Monroe Forum at the El Portal Theatre on Sept 26th.Photo Credit: Bill Dow (unless otherwise specified)
Alison Janes and Adam Meyer. Photo Credit: Ed Krieger.
Adam Meyer and Alison Janes. Photo Credit: Ed Krieger.
Adam Meyer and Alison Janes. Photo Credit: Ed Krieger.
Adam Meyer. Photo Credit: Ed Krieger.
Frank Furino, Joe Leonardo, Gary Goodgame. Alison Janes, Adam Meyer
George Chakiris in the Monroe gallery
Florence Henderson and George Chakiris
George Chakiris, Joe Leonardo, Alison Janes, Dawn Wells and Frank Furino
Didier Bloch, Donelle Dadigan and Frank Furino
Ilene Graff, Geri Jewell, Judy Tenuta, Dawn Wells, Michael Learned and Kate Linder
Jane Kean, Adam Meyer and George Chakiris
Jerry Mathers, Alison Janes, Kate Linder, Erin Murphy, Adam Meyer and Geri Jewell
Jerry Mathers and Donelle Dadigan
Jerry Mathers and Mrs. Dick "Cari" Clark
Kate Linder, Joe Leonardo and Erin Murphy
Judy Tenuta in the Monroe gallery
LA Times: Marilyn Monroe Found Dead
El Portal Theatre Marquee
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