After a summer recess, the Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT) gets back into the swing of the action with a pre-season fundraiser to assist its ongoing upgrading projects.
Written by David Lewis and directed by Peggy Lord Chilton, “M.M. xx” is a provocative, intimate drama about the enigmatic Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe, who became even larger than life after death, and ultimately a cult icon.
Monroe rose to fame at a time when public fascination demanded that every move of movie stars be photographed and documented and privacy was not afforded to those they adored.
On screen, the public saw a glamorous, sexy bombshell who excelled in comedic roles. Beneath that persona lay a talented, introspective actress wanting nothing more than recognition for her dramatic abilities. Monroe fought Hollywood hard and finally achieved the ability to manage her own career and selection of scripts.
This intimate portrayal hints at the many men in her life, the scandalous gossip and fear that Edgar J. Hoover was keeping a top-secret file on her. Her phobias and insecurities plagued Monroe throughout her life and further escalated during her career. This gave her the reputation of being difficult to work with. To keep the demons in check she turned to doctors and drugs. This show ends with titillating questions surrounding her death. Who was responsible for the death of Marilyn Monroe?
The author of the work, British playwright David Lewis, is a prolific writer primarily for community theaters. He penned “M.M. xx” after seeing numerous other plays about Marilyn Monroe and was inspired to give his audience something different, a glimpse of the core and substance of a personality that the world presumed to know but didn’t really know.
When director Peggy Lord Chilton’s mother took her to the circus, at age three, she left her seat and jumped into the ring. She’s been in show business ever since.
Formally trained at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Chilton honed her skills on television, in films and on Broadway – both acting and directing. For many years she performed as a stand-up comedian. Years ago, her comedy act opened the show at almost every Playboy Club worldwide. Her theatrical skills have taken her throughout the Americas. She is well known to LLT audiences as a great actress and has directed several shows encompassing comedies, dramas and musicals.
Candace Luciano stars as the immortal Marilyn Monroe. Her looks, mannerisms and phrasing make her a very convincing Marilyn. After studying everything she could find and living with her character 24/7 for six-plus months, she ably projects a vulnerable childlike quality while dispensing pearls of wisdom together with a disillusioned outlook on life and a blasé concern about death. Before moving to Lakeside, Luciano’s only acting experience came from the courtroom during her legal defense career. In the first two plays in which she appeared at LLT, she played a dead body. Luciano has made a steady successful climb from cadaver to starring in a one-woman show.
J. E. Jack works his magic with videos and still shots of Marilyn Monroe displayed on a back projection screen throughout the play. The audience is also treated to several recordings of her voice and, of course, the famous “Happy Birthday Mr. President.” Before coming to Lakeside, “J.J.” worked in Hollywood as a sound technician in both movies and documentaries. His 40-plus years of experience is greatly appreciated at LLT.
Beth Leitch keeps everything on track as stage manager.
Peggy Lord Chilton designed the set, Richard Bansbach and Bryan Selesky built it.
Set decoration is by Ruth Kear, and set painting was done by Joy Cook and Beth Leitch.
Sandra Murr is in charge of props, lights are regulated by Kevin Leitch, Alan Bowers and Garry Peerless.
Johanna Clark is wardrobe mistress and Nancy Jessop is the make-up artist for this show.
This show is a pre-season fundraiser for on-going upgrading projects at LLT. There are six performances of “M.M.xx,” which runs from Friday, August 4 through Thursday, August 10. Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 3 p.m. Evening shows start at 7:30 p.m. There is no show on Monday, August 7.
Tickets are 250 pesos. You can reserve tickets by email (www.lakesidelittletheatre.com) or by calling the LLT box office at (376) 766-0954. Specify your date and seating preference, and give your name and phone number. If there is no answer, someone will return your call. Or, you can visit the LLT box office Wednesday and Thursday, from 10 a.m. to noon. Tickets can also be purchased one hour before curtain, every day except Sunday.
Lakeside Little Theatre Season 53
“Ripcord” (comedy) September 29–October 8
“Time Stands Still” (drama) November 3–November 12
“Calendar Girls” (comedy) December 8–December 17
“Agnes of God” (drama) January 12–21, 2018
“Fiddler on the Roof” (musical) February 16–27, 2018
“The Clean House” (comedy) March 23–April 1, 2018
Season ticket price: 1,300 pesos.