Musical 'Misfits Together' to dramatize Monroe and Miller's marriage
The musical, created by Dan Smith and Ralph Pelleymounter, with a book by Charlotte Bogard Macleod, will open at Leicester's Curve next autumn. It focuses on the relationship between Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller, highlighting their support for each other during the 1950s red scare. The first song, 'Oh America', is released.
The musical's title references "The Misfits," the 1961 film Arthur Miller wrote for Monroe, released just after their divorce. The production is a collaboration between indie musicians Dan Smith of Bastille and Ralph Pelleymounter of To Kill a King, who recorded the score as a studio album. Charlotte Bogard Macleod wrote the book, and Nikolai Foster, artistic director at Leicester's Curve, will direct. The creative team conducted research by watching Monroe's films, noting her understanding of filmmaking craft.
The story emphasizes how Monroe supported Miller when he refused to name names before the House Un-American Activities Committee, at significant personal cost. Monroe had her own production company and was fighting misogyny while Miller fought McCarthyism. The creators highlight that Monroe, a working-class former foster child who built her own persona, was still constantly denigrated and patronised at the height of her fame, reduced to a "bombshell" image despite her achievements.
This production could reshape public perception of both historical figures, particularly Monroe's agency and political significance during the red scare era. By drawing parallels between 1950s othering and contemporary US politics, the musical may prompt audiences to reflect on how public figures are still reduced to simplistic images. It could also influence how cultural institutions approach historical narratives, potentially encouraging more nuanced portrayals of women in history and their roles in political resistance.