Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

A musical by Rea Madella Ioannidou.

Gentlemen prefer blondes is a 1950s fast-paced musical comedy. One of the most influential musicals of the 20th century, it has left an indelible mark on the genre in America.

The original story was written in 1925 as a novel by Anita Loos and was well-received by the American public. In 1940, Loos worked with Joseph Fields to adapt the novel into a musical. Masterfully directed by John C. Wilson with music written by Jule Styne, the play premiered at the Ziegfeld Theatre in Broadway on December 8, 1949 and ran for 740 performances until September 15, 1951.

The play’s success on Broadway prompted a film version directed by Howard Hawks and starring Jane Russel and Marilyn Monroe. The movie was a huge commercial success and still ranks among the most popular comedies worldwide. Since then, this musical has been exerting influence on musical theatre with stage productions across Europe and the United States.

Now, this highly acclaimed play, is brought to Cypriot theatre-goers in the context of the KYPRIA 2011 International Festival.

THE PLOT
Gentlemen prefer blondes recounts the story of Lorelei, a young, blonde woman who knows what to set her mind on and how to get it, especially when it comes to men. Together with her friend Dorothy, Lorelei sails to France, where she hopes to marry the wealthy Gus Esmond. Despite the objections of Gus’ father, Lorelei won’t take no for an answer. In the end, not only does she marry Gus, but while doing so she also persuades a married man to give her a diamond tiara. Through several tragicomic situations, portrayed through singing and dancing, the two friends manage to set on fire the
entire male population aboard the ship that takes them from America to France.

PRODUCTION CREDITS:
Directed by: Vassilis Myrianthopoulos
Choreography by: Elia Ioannidou
Set by: Charis Kafkarides
Costumes by: Rea Olympiou
Make-up by: Litsa Ioannidou
Orchestrated by: Nicholas Dimas
Lyrics by: Andreas Hadjipanayiotou
Teaching of songs and choral arrangements: Katerina Christophidou
Assistant Choreographer: Ntinos Christodoulides

Cast:
Dimos Beke, Elia Ioannidou, Lefteris Salomides, Christiana Larkou, Antonis Lapethiotis, Diomedes Koufteros, Mariella Savvidou, Niki Dragoume, Manos Galanes, Iacovos Chatzivassilis and 8 years old Stavros Nicolaou.
Also: Baritone Marios Andreou, Soprano Irena Avraamidou and ACT STUDIO’s 12-member opera group and 16-member professional dance group with 10 years old Paris Efstratiou.

Box Office Bookings

Nicosia:
Pallas Cinema - Theatre
Tel.: 22410181

Larnaca:
Larnaca Municipal Theatre
Tel.: 24665795

Limassol:
Rialto Theatre
Tel.: 77777745

Municipal Garden Theatre
Tel.: 25582268, 25344341

Paphos:
Citizen's Information & Service Centre
of the Municipality of Paphos
Tel.: 80008181

Within the framework of Kypria Festival 2011