By John Lamb Today at 12:09 a.m
FARGO—Marilyn Monroe was a Hollywood star who became an American legend.
After 16 years of bit parts in small movies, her career took off with 1953's "Niagara." Over the next nine years, she would help make movies like "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," "The Seven Year Itch," "Some Like it Hot" and "The Misfits" classics before dying of a barbiturate overdose in 1962.
But how much do we really know about the woman born Norma Jeane Mortensen? The new play, "Heartthrob: The Marilyn Monroe Experience," aims to fill out the life behind the sex symbol, from her unstable mother to her rise in Hollywood, unfulfilling celebrity marriages and ultimately her tragic end.
The production is the vision of director and choreographer Ryan Domres, who last summer offered a new spin on "The Great Gatsby" and this past May got the Plains Art Museum's annual Spring Gala airborne
Heartthrob" is the first time Ellery Lystad has worked with her friend Domres' company, Experience Blur, though she previously worked on other productions he was involved with.
Lystad has worked in the Fargo-Moorhead scene for six years, though much of the last four were working music revues on cruise ships.
"I'm enjoying creating something richer, telling a full story and being invested physically and emotionally," she says. "I love this creative process."
Lystad and Domres are keeping mum about the details, though she says Monroe is played by a number of different performers through her life. Lystad adds that she does play Monroe's birth mother.
"Everything is very physical. It's very challenging for me, but fulfilling and what I want," she says during a break in rehearsals.
The hour-long play incorporates a lot of dance and movement, with Eric Saari mixing up popular songs for what Domres calls "a modern soundscape." Lystad is quick to point out there will be no "Candle in the Wind."
Lystad talked about the creative production and what she learned about the film icon.
This is called "The Marilyn Monroe Experience." What are you learning about the iconic star?
Growing up, I knew her as a movie star. This process, we're learning about her childhood and her journey to Hollywood and her relationships with her husbands. I'm learning about her relationship with her mother, and that is a journey in and of itself. Marilyn always looked for love and I don't know if her mother was equipped for that. It was taboo to be a single mother back then.
Do you have more of an appreciation for what she did?
I do. Delving into any person's history, you have more of an appreciation for her work and struggles. It's a good story and a reminder of running after your dreams and being that person you want to be. At the end of the day, she wanted to be remembered as a great actress and connect with her fans. She was very serious about acting.
The first thing anyone thinks of her is about her looks. She was such a sex symbol. Did her looks ever get in the way?
She actually waited a while before going blonde. Unfortunately, Hollywood is superficial. Producers told her to think less about the character and just be Marilyn. Be a bombshell.
What do you expect people to take away from the play?
I think a new level of appreciation for this woman and her journey. How many people really know her roots and where she came from? Maybe it wasn't all just flashy lights and pretty dresses.
If you go
What: "Heartthrob: The Marilyn Monroe Experience"
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, through July 18
Where: The Stage at Island Park, 333 4th St. S., Fargo
Info: Adult content may be inappropriate for children under 13. Tickets are $20. (701) 235-6778.
