Trevor Peterson to Star in MARILYN ... MADNESS & ME at El Portal Theatre, 9/19-25

He met Marilyn Monroe. He became obsessed with Norma Jean Baker. And that changed everything. The El Portal Theatre will present a poignant, compelling, and shocking tale of unrequited love, centered around the last month's of Marilyn Monroe's life as told in first-person by the man who lived it, and confirmed by excerpts from Marilyn's diary. Frank V. Furino's "Marylin ... MADNESS & Me," starring Trevor Peterson and introducing Bonnie Gilgallon, who brings the essence of Marilyn to life, puts a revealing spotlight on a career that has mesmerized the world for generations.

The opening night gala will feature items from the personal collection of Marilyn Monroe on loan from The Hollywood History Museum, which contains the nation's largest exhibit of authentic Monroe memorabilia. Items scheduled for display in the theatre lobby include Marilyn's dress worn to greet the US service men and on her honeymoon with Joe DiMaggio, jewelry, personal notes, an original copy of the LA Times declaring "Marilyn Monroe Found Dead," the pill bottles found on Marilyn's bedside table the night she died and more. Enlightening Monroe moments and exposed facts include:

- "Marilyn Monroe" was a character that Norma Jean turned on when in public and turned off in private.
- When Marilyn was stressed, she stuttered.
- Marilyn owned a French Poodle named "Maf," short for "Mafia" - given to her by Frank Sinatra.
- Marilyn was never paid more than $100,000 for any film, while Liz Taylor was paid $1 million for "Cleopatra.
- The first time she signed an autograph as "Marilyn Monroe," she was embarrassed that she couldn't spell it.

The show will play in previews September 19th through 25th, with the Gala Opening set for September 26th. Regular run: Thurs, Fri & Sat - Curtain at 8 pm, Sunday Matinee at 3:00pm at The Marilyn Forum at the El Portal, 5269 Lankershim Blvd. N. Hollywood, Calif. Tickets: Previews: $25 - All regular seats $34.99, Call 818-508-4200 or 866-811-4111 or visit http://www.elportaltheatre.com/events.html.

WRITER/PRODUCER: Frank V. Furino is a successful writer and producer for primetime/daytime TV programs including "Flamingo Road," "Dallas," "Falcon Crest," "The Colbys," "General Hospital," and more, in addition to being the Executive Story Editor on "Dynasty." Co-Created and produced, "Nightingales" series for Spelling Productions/NBC. As the Director of Production for Dick Clark Productions he created, wrote and produced nationally syndicated programs and was a writer for ABC-TV's "New Years Rockin' Eve." As Vice-President, Diamond P Enterprises, he wrote and produced syndicated sports and entertainment shows and was voted Syndicated Country Music Broadcast Producer of the Year by Billboard Magazine. As a staff director with ABC News/Sports, he worked along side Howard Cosell, Keith Jackson, Ted Koppel, Peter Jennings, and more, covering NFL Football, Championship Boxing, Auto Racing, Space Shots, Political Conventions and The Olympics.

DIRECTOR: Joe Leonardo's credits include "It's Better with a Band" in New York, London and Philadelphia "Me and My Girl," "Grand Hotel," "Sweeney Todd" (Joseph Jefferson Award Winner/1993) and Miss Saigon. His first production of "At Wit's End" received 11 Carbonell Award nominations (2001). As Artistic Director of NETworks, he has overseen the national tours of "Kiss of the Spider Woman," "The Sound of Music," "Stage Fair," "Damn Yankees," "Victor/Victoria," "Big," "Show Boat," "Annie," "Jekyll and Hyde," "Bully," "The Civil War," "Cirque Ingenieux," "Cinderella," and "Ragtime." Mr. Leonardo is the Laura Carnell Professor of Theater and Director of Theater at Temple University in Philadelphia. producing twenty-four seasons and directing over thirty musicals and plays by such authors as Shakespeare, Moliere, Chekhov, Genet, Stoppard, Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.

The historic El Portal Theatre is located in North Hollywood. Opening in 1926 for Vaudeville, then Silent Movies, and then Academy Award-winning films, the Smithsonian choose the El Portal for induction ceremonies of their first permanent Entertainment History Exhibit. For more information, visit www.elportaltheatre.com.

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