Dirty Blonde is a play by Claudia Shear. The play ran Off-Broadway and on Broadway in 2000. It involves two fans of Mae West who discover their shared passion for her, and for each other.
Background Conceived by Shear and James Lapine and featuring songs from I'm No Angel and She Done Him Wrong, it explores the phenomenon of the legendary Mae West, one of America's most enduring and controversial pop culture icons. The play, which draws its title from the West film quip "I made myself platinum, but I was born a dirty blonde",Lazere, Arthur. " Dirty Blinde - Claudia Shear" culturevulture.net, accessed May 3, 2015 tells the story of Jo, an office temp and aspiring actress, and Charlie, who works in the New York Public Library's film archives, both lonely and obsessive West fans who meet at her grave and form a unique relationship as they swap stories about the career highlights and eventual decline into parody of the woman they worship.
Productions The play premiered Off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop on January 10, 2000, running to February 13, 2000." Dirty Blonde Listing" lortel.org, accessed May 2, 2015
The play then opened on Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theatre on May 1, 2000 after previews from April 14 and closed on March 4, 2001 after 352 performances. The play was directed by James Lapine, with Shear as Jo/West and Kevin Chamberlin and Bob Stillman.McBride, Murdoch. "Shear's 'Dirty Blonde' Begins Bway Previews At Helen Hayes April 14" playbill.com, April 14, 2000" Dirty Blonde Broadway Production and Awards" playbillvault.com, accessed May 2, 2015
Kathy Najimy replaced Shear on January 9, 2001. Tom Riis Farrell replaced Chamberlin on July 6, 2000.McBride, Walter. "Kathy Najimy Steps Into Starring Role in 'Dirty Blonde', Jan. 9" playbill.com, January 9, 2001 Najimy reprised her role at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California, in July to August 2003, along with original actors Chamberlin and Stillman.Hernandez, Ernio. "Kathy Najimy Is 'Dirty Blonde' with Kevin Chamberlin and Bob Stillman in CA, July 20-Aug. 30" playbill.com, July 20, 2003
Shear played the role in London, opening at the Duke of York's Theatre on June 16, 2004. Kevin Chamberlin and Bob Stillman reprised their roles also.Inverne, James. "Claudia Shear Makes London Debut with 'Dirty Blonde' June 16" playbill.com, June 16, 2004 It has been produced in by regional theatres throughout the United States. For example, it ran in Chicago in 2011 at the BoHo Theatre.Metz, Nina. "Review. 'Dirty Blonde' provides just a peek at Mae West" Chicago Tribune, April 5, 2011 The play ran in Los Angeles at the Pasadena Playhouse in 2004, with Shear reprising her role.Boehm, Mike. "At the root of 'Dirty Blonde' " Los Angeles Times, March 5, 2004 In 2023, Cady Huffman starred in a production at CV Rep, in Cathedral City, California.
The play is one of the few in Broadway history to have its entire cast nominated for a Tony Award.
Song list "Dirty Blonde" "A Guy What Takes His Time" "Cuddle Up and Cling to Me" "I Found a New Way to Go to Town" "I'm No Angel" "I Love It" "I Want You, I Need You" "I Wonder Where My Easy Rider's Gone" "Oh My, How We Pose" "Perfect Love"
Critical reception Ben Brantley, in his review for The New York Times of the Off-Broadway production, called it "a beautifully written work... with a shiver-making pinnacle..."Brantley, Ben. "Review. Dirty Blonde " The New York Times Theatre Reviews 1999-2000, (books.google.com) January 11, 2000, p.236
The CurtainUp reviewer of the Off-Broadway production wrote: " 'Dirty Blonde' ...is very much a play; in fact, it has enough music, including Bob Stillman's eponymous original song, to be classified as a play with music The monologist has become a mature playwright. The stand-up comic has developed enough depth to render two engaging character portraits. Her Mae may not be true blue West but she's caught the essence of 'the movie equivalent of Venice.'"Sommer, Elyse. "Review. Dirty Blonde " curtainup.com, January 8, 2000
Awards and honors
Source: PlaybillVault
Original Broadway production Year Award ceremony Category Nominee Result 2000 Tony Award Best Play Best Actress in a Play Claudia Shear Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play Bob Stillman Kevin Chamberlin Best Direction of a Play James Lapine Drama Desk Award Outstanding PlayClaudia Shear Outstanding Actress in a Play Outstanding Actor in a Play Kevin Chamberlin Outstanding Lighting Design David Lander Theatre World Award Claudia Shear
References
External links Internet Broadway Database listing New York Times review (subscription required) Dirty Blonde at Samuel French