Icons of a bygone era Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald are to light up London’s Theatreland in November, when Marilyn And Ella is staged at the Apollo theatre.
The musical play, which was staged at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in early 2008, is to be staged on 15, 22 and 29 November at the Shaftesbury Avenue venue.
The piece, by playwright, author and critic Bonnie Greer, explores how music legend Fitzgerald came to worship actress Monroe who, after being bewitched by Fitzgerald’s voice, caused the owner of her favourite LA club to lift his colour ban and allow Fitzgerald to sing at his nightclub.
The show, which includes songs such as Every Time We Say Goodbye, Mack The Knife and Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend, will star Suzie Kennedy who has previously played Monroe in films, music videos, documentaries and commercials.
It is directed by Colin McFarlane, who previously directed it at the Theatre Royal Stratford East.
Marilyn And Ella is the latest show to join the Apollo theatre’s eclectic autumn which features stand-up performances by Ross Noble and Dylan Moran, a West End showcase for emerging musical theatre composer Michael Bruce, A Little Less Ordinary, and the return of hit children’s show The Gruffalo.
MA