Discount tickets available for Marilyn Monroe play on Feb. 16

INTERNATIONAL CITY THEATER

International City Theatre will open its 2024 season with the world premiere of “Marilyn, Mom & Me.” Two low-priced previews are set for Feb. 14 and 15.

Attempting to better understand his complicated relationship with his mother, playwright Luke Yankee, son of award-winning actress Eileen Heckart, delves into her friendship with Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe in this deeply personal comic drama.

“In 1956, when Marilyn was cast as the lead in the film ‘Bus Stop,’ she was the biggest star in the world,” Yankee said. “She had taken the previous year off to study with Lee Strasberg and had become the poster child for ‘method’ acting, where an actor has to experience every moment truthfully.

“My mother was cast as her best friend in the movie, and, as a part of her newly discovered style of acting, Marilyn was determined to make my mother her best friend—both on screen and off,” Yankee said. “Reluctantly, Eileen went along with it for the sake of the film and found herself emotionally entrenched in Marilyn’s life.”

“My mother loved to talk about her career… except when it came to Marilyn,” he continued. “Whenever she would do so, she would get very quiet and change the subject. If pressed, she would burst into tears. No one else she worked with had this effect on her.”

Performances take place Feb. 16 through March 3 at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, 330 East Seaside Way, Long Beach, CA 90802.

Tickets for early previews on Feb. 14 and 15 are $37; other tickets range from $49-55.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https:// ictlongbeach.org/marilynmomme/ or call 562-436-4610.

'Marilyn, Mom & Me' cover