April 20, 2001

Dirty Blonde, Claudia Shear’s hit play about a gal, a guy, and Mae West to transfer to Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theatre
Critically acclaimed, popular success begins performances Friday, April 14 opening night scheduled for ‘Mae-Day’ Monday, May 1

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The Shubert Organization, Chase Mishkin, Ostar Enterprises, and ABC, Inc. have announced that the acclaimed hit play, Dirty Blonde, written by Claudia Shear, conceived by Ms. Shear and James Lapine, and directed by Mr. Lapine, will transfer to Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 West 44 Street, beginning performances on Friday, April 14. The opening night is scheduled for ‘Mae-Day,’ Monday, May 1 at 7:00pm.

A play about a gal, a guy, and Mae West, Dirty Blonde tells the story of two single New Yorkers who first meet at the grave site of the legendary film star and sex symbol. Scenes from West’s life—populated by a colorful gallery of old-time Hollywood and Broadway characters—interweave with an unlikely romance between the two relationship-challenged Mae fans.

The cast of Dirty Blonde is Claudia Shear, Kevin Chamberlin, and Bob Stillman.

Dirty Blonde originally opened at New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) on Monday, January 10, 2000 to rave reviews and played an extended sold-out run. The critics raved: Ben Brantley of The New York Times wrote that Dirty Blonde is a “smart, tough, and tenderhearted comedy under the stylish and compassionate direction of James Lapine.” “Ms. Shear’s Mae is beyond reproach. The excellent Bob Stillman is a dream of a chameleon. Kevin Chamberlain is superb.” “Dirty Blonde is a beautifully written work.” The New Yorker’s John Lahr called Dirty Blonde “a cunningly written, raffish, elegant play.” Linda Winer of Newsday said Dirty Blonde is a delightful and ultimately moving portrait.”

Michael Sommers of The Star-Ledger called Dirty Blonde “marvelously entertaining and stylishly directed.” “Shear reveals her compassionate view of humanity in crafting this smart, altogether loving tribute to an icon and those souls who reflect their glory.” David Kaufman of the Daily News says Dirty Blonde is an “utterly original, engaging entertainment--Shear never makes a false move.” In the New York Post, Clive Barnes wrote that Dirty Blonde is “a happily affectionate play—Shear beautifully catches the true West persona.” And in the Wall Street Journal Debra Jo Immergut wrote, “With Dirty Blonde, Claudia Shear has found herself the perfect role: Mae West. Dirty Blonde is an exuberant and surprisingly resonant play.”

The set design for Dirty Blonde is by Doug Stein; costume design is by Susan Hilferty; lighting design is by David Lander; sound design is by Dan Moses Schreier; musical staging is by John Carrafa; the production stage manager is Leila Knox. The title song, “Dirty Blonde,” has music and lyrics by Bob Stillman.

Dirty Blonde plays at the Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 West 44 Street, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues. The playing schedule is Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00pm with Saturday and Wednesday matinees at 2:00pm and a Sunday matinee at 3:00pm. Tickets are $55 - $65 and may be purchased by phoning Telecharge at 212 239-6200. For group sales, phone 212 239-6262.