According to Leicester’s Curve theatre and associated production announcements, a new stage musical titled Misfits Together will explore the 1956 marriage between Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe and Pulitzer-winning playwright Arthur Miller. Scheduled to run in Curve’s Studio theatre from September 4 to October 2, 2027, the production is created by Dan Smith of the band Bastille, Ralph Pelleymounter of To Kill a King, and librettist Charlotte Bogard Macleod, with direction by Curve artistic director Nikolai Foster and presentation alongside Tila Arts.
Origins of Misfits Together and the 1950s Red Scare Parallel
The project draws its title from The Misfits, a film written by Miller for Monroe that was released shortly after their 1961 divorce, according to production details. Smith and Pelleymounter originally conceived the piece as a musical about 1950s America before bringing on Macleod to write the book. According to Macleod, the musical examines Arthur Miller’s integrity during the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings, where he refused to name names at a high personal cost. Macleod noted that research revealed Monroe actively supported Miller while running her own production company, fighting both McCarthyism and industry misogyny.
Pelleymounter stated that history “doesn’t repeat, but it rhymes,” pointing to parallels between the 1950s red scare and modern political othering used to maintain the status quo. According to the creators, the musical addresses Monroe being pigeonholed as a working-class woman in foster care who built a global persona yet faced constant questioning and patronage at the height of her fame.
Creative Team and Studio Album Release
The score has been recorded as a studio album of the same name, with its first single, “Oh America,” released on Thursday, according to the producers. Smith and Pelleymounter wrote more than three dozen songs for the production, whittling them down to fewer than half that number to focus on character psychology and narrative drive. Smith stated that the songwriting draws surprising inspiration from Eminem’s hit song “Stan” to tell a complex story through correspondence, alongside visual cues from famous photographs of the couple, such as bicycle rides.
Curve chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster described the collaboration as an inspiring experience that brings 1950s Hollywood and the couple’s enduring stories to life against a volatile backdrop. Foster, whose recent directing credits include The Silence of the Lambs tour and Kinky Boots at the London Coliseum, said workshops revealed the pair’s lives in such close-up that participants nearly forgot they were dealing with two major 20th-century cultural figures.
Historical Figures and Theatrical Vision
In addition to Monroe and Miller, the musical features other historical figures, including British actor Laurence Olivier, who co-starred with Monroe in The Prince and the Showgirl. According to Bogard Macleod, Olivier’s frustration with Monroe wanting multiple takes resulted in a singular directorial note to “be sexy,” though Monroe ultimately shone on film through her craft and understanding of filmmaking.
Pelleymounter, a frequent collaborator with Smith, previously won Best Original Score at the IndieX Film Festival for Eugene vs Humanity and co-wrote Rag ‘n’ Bone Man’s ballad “Perfume.”
Pro Tip: Musical Theatre Development
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will Misfits Together premiere?
According to Curve theatre, Misfits Together runs in Curve’s Studio theatre from September 4 to October 2, 2027.
Who created Misfits Together?
The musical was created by Dan Smith (music and lyrics) of Bastille, Ralph Pelleymounter (music and lyrics) of To Kill a King, and book writer Charlotte Bogard Macleod, with direction by Nikolai Foster.
What is the musical based on?
According to production materials, the show is based on the 1956 relationship, marriage, and artistic struggles of Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller against the backdrop of 1950s America.
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