Marilyn! The New Musical

This musical ran for 23 performances before going on hiatus to return in September according to press releases. I waited for a while before getting my ticket because I wanted the show to make any changes during/after the preview period. Then I read that the show would be closing on 17 June and ostensibly reopening in September. I know that the Strip is littered with shows that went on hiatus never to return.Given that the show was closing, I quickly bought a ticket for Tuesday, 12 June and I went again last night--closing night--on a comp ticket. Seeing the show twice gave me the chance to mull over my initial thoughts and to look for things I may have missed the first time.The cast is outstanding! Ruby Lewis, Travis Cloer, and Randal Keith are vocally superb! Frank Lawson, Charlie--Marilyn Monroe's driver--was also solid voice in the production.There are some problems with the show that I perceive. While the company has excellent dancers, there are times that they're dancing that it just doesn't make sense like during an argument between Monroe and Darryl Zanuck. This after Zanuck yelled at her to get out of his office. Instead, she stays, they sing, the dancers dance, and the scene continues when it should have ended.I liked the counterpoint offered by Norma Jean and Monroe but I can see how some thought this was awkward or just didn't understand. Last, the biggest change I'd make is the ending. It's a bit much to have the death scene followed quickly by a pert Monroe singing "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend." I know this is done to bring the cast out for their curtain call but I think it would have been better simply to end the show, wait a few moments for the quick change of clothes for Lewis, bring the dancers out from the wings for their curtain call, and then bring out the principals. At that time, Lewis could break into her "Diamonds" song and it would be more sensible than what is done now.One last mention about the small band/orchestra (does one string player make an orchestra?). They are excellent. Now let's dump some of the less successful songs and modify the story a bit, cut down on the yelling, and reopen in September and turn this into a hit! I can only hope!

I didn't love it. The orchestra and musical talent were absolutely amazing. There is definitely a shining star in Brittney Bertier (Norma Jeane), Ruby Lewis (Marilyn Monroe), and my personal favorite Frank Lawson (Charlie). My hat off to all performers for an incredible performance. The show in itself as a story line - not so great. There were two numbers that felt quite out of place including Charlie's "I Just Wanna Drive" and Ella's jazz number. Although both were great to witness, due to the talent in both individuals, it was hard to see the importance of how it related to Marilyn's life on a greater level.Lighting seemed to be a difficulty as well. It was very minimal compared to other Vegas shows - even at the Paris. There were also a few times where the lighting was out of place and not shining on the performer. The stage performance operations were a little lackluster, in my opinion. Did I learn a lot about Marilyn's perceived life? I sure did. And I have a newfound appreciation for the icon that she is and the difficulties that she faced as an individual. However, I feel that the show could have done more in providing the emotion behind the story.On a side note: the seating in the theater was pretty uncomfortable and made it hard to sit still for a long period of time.At the end of the day, I am glad I had the opportunity to experience the musical while I could; but I would say that I would have to pass on the chance to see it again.

Saw this last Saturday. This was a great musical! Ruby Lewis as Marilyn did a hell of a job! Chanel Edwards-Frederick who played Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Lawson who played as Marilyn's driver were fantastic! Their voices killed it and to me, they stole the show! (Had to look them all up. lol.) The whole cast did an amazing job and I would like to see this again. About the musical: This was about Marilyn Monroe and her life. Her struggles and accomplishments. I know a bit of history about Norma Jeane and this musical did a pretty good job on telling her story. I do wish it highlighted more of her good memories, but i also like that it focused on how she did have a battle with herself. That her life is not all glitz and glam. It'll truly make people who doesn't know her story too well appreciate her more and her accomplishments. The songs were all well written and i admit, some threw me off as I thought the genre would be kept in that era, but giving it a more modern taste isn't bad either. Ruby Lewis definitely has a great singing voice! The Orchestra was on point! I focused and watched them play on stage and I am definitely impressed! The choreography was cute and reminded me of Hairspray and a bit of Grease. The theater: I did see 1908 here when we had the elite event. It's a good sized theater. Seats are a little tight if you are a little heavier but no matter where you sit, you can pretty much see the whole stage perfectly. They do have popcorn, drinks and a few snacks. Nothing like big meals though, so if youre starving, expect to have snacks. They do have alcoholic drinks, so yay! haha. The ushers did a great job on showing you where your seats are and I advised, like any other theater or show, to be on time. If the show says it starts at 7pm, curtains will open at 7pm. Hmmm, I'm sure im missing a few more key points but everyone did a wonderful job, and the actress that played one of the assistance was pretty funny. The usage of actors playing different characters was executed well. But overall, I recommend this musical! GO SEE IT!!!

A real good but dark musical, obviously about Marilyn Monroe... her early days, her prescription drug abuse, her lovers & the Hollywood movie industry moguls that that oppressed her before she committed suicide.The actress that plays Marilyn, Ruby Lewis was amazing! We really enjoyed the musical, and will probably see it again before it leave the Paris Casino/ Resort.

I'm biased because I feel like one thing Vegas is lacking is original musicals. We have plenty of magic and variety acts, but original musicals are really hard to come by. And in one week I found out two of them are closing (or going on hiatus) - this and Baz!I felt this show was a solid performance. I didn't know much about Marilyn going into it, but I felt like I learned a lot and was inspired to look her up when I got back. There's some minor nitpicks here about the flow or story, but overall I thought it was well put together. I like how the bus driver tells the story and leads us through her life. Some of the musical numbers were better than others (I've never been a fan of the slow ones), but DAMN that Marilyn can sing.This show is now on "hiatus" so it'll be interesting to see if it comes back and how they change it. I think the show was pretty good, so I hope they don't mess with it too much. I know having a full on musical production can be costly, but I think it definitely adds to the effect. The Paris showroom was a good place for it too. I guess we will have to wait and see how it changes.

From the opening scene, you know you're in for a ride. This isn't some compilation of Marilyn's best known works, songs and scenes that you'd come to expect from a typical Vegas production. Nothing prepares you for the dazzle of seeing the Marilyn we all know and love, with her famous numbers like "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" and "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" to the secret life she hid, battling her inner self, her loved ones and those who worked with her."I don't want to be me" would have to be my favorite song. It's relatable, real and raw and reflects the personal battles we all have in fighting our inner demons. If only that negative inner voice hadn't won with Marilyn.It's hard to watch the conflict with the men in her life: the confrontations as she fought for her rights; for better roles, better partners, all for a better life. But this is the struggle of being woman and I'm proud that we've had such role models to help pave the way for the rest of us. This is why she's an icon.This is why she's loved.This is why she will continue to shine forever and her real life story is worth telling and seeing.The stage, the costumes, the singing and the cast, the songs and lyrics and the dancing demonstrates that "next level" talent that has all the makings of a Broadway musical but accessible to those of us on the west coast.I adored this musical. Great for both men and women and for all age groups. Loved the glitz and glam but now know, love and respect the woman.#ForeverMarilyn#MarilynTheNewMusical

Fantastic talent in a poorly conceived show. If you're trying to make a decision on what to see in Vegas tonight - there are just too many other really great options to spend your time and money here. Every person on that stage deserves an award for the Broadway caliber performances that they bring to this production. Truly first-rate.However, the show itself is depressingly bad. The book is a series of vignettes- a timeline of mostly unrelated events in Marilyn's life, narrated by her "Chauffeur". Over and over we are told in monologue form what we're about to see before we see it. (howbout you just show me?) Since there is no plot per se, this quickly gets redundant, and the audience is continually held at an emotional distance by this alienist approach. When she dies (oops, spoiler) it's just another scene in the life of a distant character. A good girl who gets lost in a mean world. The show ends with us knowing not much more than when we came inThe music is tuneful, but the lyrics are dreadful, and rarely do anything to progress the story.Just one example; the narrator - Marilyn's chauffeur sees her in her undergarments. She innocently asks him for an opinion on color, which leads to a big dance number "I just wanna Drive" which is a list of all of the things he doesn't want to do in life, he just wants to drive. Who cares? Really?Though catchy enough, it stops the story cold. It doesn't tell me anything about who this character is, doesn't progress the plot, and doesn't say much about his relationship with Marilyn. It's just an okay song inserted into the middle of a bunch of scenes. This also describes most of the music in the show. Performer, Frank Lawson sings and performs the heck out of the number - making me wish I was seeing him in an intimate cabaret or jazz venue, rather than in this thankless role. There are many production/dance numbers, and they all look and feel the same. Again, very little storytelling involved - just dancers dancing for no reason other than that they need something to fill up the stage. Compare this to a show like Twyla Tharp's "Movin Out" where most of the story is told through dance and movement...or even the late great "Bandstand" on broadway - where the ever-present dancers were a big part of the mood and overall feel of the show - and this just all seems unnecessary - and frankly uninteresting. There's little to comment on in the way of sets or lighting. It's all very minimal - which is a problem in Las Vegas, where we are used to very high production values. The costumes are fine, with the best going -naturally - to the amazing Ruby Lewis as Marilyn. To me, The one real standout performance was Chanel Edwards-Frederick as Ella Fitzgerald. Yes, Ella is in the show. It's not important why - she's only in one scene. But Ms. Edwards-Frederick takes and holds the stage during her cameo number - ultimately bringing down the house and doing right by one of the greatest singers in jazz history. Again, I hope to see lots more of her in shows more well-suited to her serious talents. She defines charisma.Kudos also to the onstage band, who sounded great.I wanted to LOVE this show. Sadly, even praising it as mediocre would be a stretch.

I've never been an over-the-top Marilyn fan, however after seeing her life story brought to the stage by Tegan Summer and brought to life by Ruby Lewis, I now have a whole new love for Hollywood's Starlet. The storyline, the dialogue and the emotion behind each line delivered by each actor, I walked out of this performance sobbing because of how broken Marilyn was. I felt as though I was put in a time machine and transported back to watch the most intimate moments of her life. And as Chris Fore (Bill & Mr. Morrison) said, "we didn't even hit them all." Ruby Lewis put on one gripping performance along with the other actors, singers, dancers. I am very excited to see the comeback of this performance in September and if I heard correctly, it will only get better. Shout out to the musicians, technicians (audio & visual) and to all the producers, thank you for a fabulous show.

One of the newest musicals on the strip and we had a chance to go see it over the weekend! Brought the wifey as she has never seen a Marilyn film before (she didn't grow up in the States lol) but now she's hooked and totally fascinated with Marilyn! They did a great job portraying the alter egos of Norma Jean Baker and Marilyn Monroe. Great original music, singing, beautifully matched performances, and a breathtaking Ruby Lewis as Marilyn Monroe. Definitely worth checking out!

I loved this show! I thought this was such an amazing production. The cast with their voices blew me away! I couldn't believe what I was hearing, everything was so beautiful.The theatre itself is set up for a musical, as Jersey Boys had a residency there for quite some time. The chairs are comfortable and there really isn't a bad seat. We had sat far left of the stage and could see everything. The storyline was eye opening to see Marilyn's life and her tribulations. I didn't know too much about her life and now I know quite a bit more. I liked the song choices, they were well written. The crowd gave standing ovations for multiple scenes and songs. I liked that this show was from the driver's point of view, giving it a new perspective. My grandma was emotional and even had tears in her eyes while watching this musical as she loved Marilyn while she was younger. I'm not sure why this show is going to be dark for the next few months, but I hope it comes back so more people can appreciate and enjoy this production.