Marilyn Monroe’s timeless allure is lighting up New York City in 2025, from the Broadway stage to a prestigious art gallery. At the Imperial Theatre, Tony nominee Robyn Hurder dazzles as the Hollywood icon in SMASH, a musical adaptation of the hit NBC series. Meanwhile, Marilyn’s image takes on new life in a vibrant portrait by neo-pointillist artist Semadar, unveiled at Carlton Fine Arts on Madison Avenue. Through Hurder’s captivating performance and Semadar’s innovative artistry, Monroe’s legacy shines brighter than ever.

Robyn Hurder Becomes Marilyn in SMASH

The Imperial Theatre is ablaze with the energy of SMASH, which opened on April 10, 2025, bringing the drama and glamour of the TV series to Broadway. Directed by Susan Stroman and featuring a score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the musical dives into the chaotic creation of Bombshell, a fictional Broadway show about Marilyn Monroe’s life. At its core is Robyn Hurder, who delivers a show-stopping performance as both Ivy Lynn, a seasoned theater star, and Marilyn herself in the show-within-a-show.

Hurder’s portrayal is a masterclass in capturing Monroe’s essence—her sultry charisma, playful charm, and underlying vulnerability. She navigates the musical’s demanding vocals and dynamic choreography by Joshua Bergasse with ease, earning raves for her star power. One of the production’s most unforgettable moments recreates Marilyn’s iconic scene from The Seven Year Itch (1955), where her white halter dress billows up over a New York City subway grate, teasingly revealing her underwear. Costume designer Alejo Vietti’s stunning recreation of this dress, alongside other sexy, era-evoking outfits, amplifies Hurder’s transformation into the blonde bombshell. From a glamorous fur coat ensemble to a sparkling nod to Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend, each costume underscores Marilyn’s magnetic style.

The cast, including Brooks Ashmanskas as director Nigel and Krysta Rodriguez as lyricist Tracy, delivers Broadway polish, though the book by Rick Elice and Bob Martin leans into sharp humor over emotional depth. Fan-favorite songs like “Let Me Be Your Star” and “Don’t Forget Me” soar, joined by new numbers crafted for the stage. X posts from theatergoers buzz with praise for Hurder’s electrifying performance, though some critics note the script’s cynical take on Marilyn’s struggles. Still, SMASH is a vibrant celebration of theater and Monroe’s enduring myth, running through January 2026.

Marilyn’s Artistic Revival at Carlton Fine Arts

Beyond the stage, Marilyn Monroe’s image is reimagined in a striking exhibition at Carlton Fine Arts, located at 127 East 69th Street. Running through April 25, 2025, the show features neo-pointillist works by Canadian artist Semadar, who unveiled a radiant portrait of Marilyn on April 2. Using thousands of carefully placed dots, Semadar’s neo-pointillism—a modern twist on the techniques of Seurat and Signac—creates a luminous image that captures Monroe’s iconic beauty from a distance, blending fragmented colors into a cohesive whole.

Marilyn’s portrait is displayed alongside other cultural giants: Bob Marley, rendered with soulful intensity; Elvis Presley, depicted in his Bye Bye Birdie days with Ann-Margret; and Robin Williams, immortalized in a poignant moment from Good Will Hunting (1997), the acclaimed film starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Semadar’s celebrity series is complemented by her vibrant landscapes, which burst with dotted color and texture. Shown concurrently at Art Expo New York (April 3–6), the exhibition highlights Semadar’s meticulous process, likened to orchestrating a major event, ensuring every element enhances the viewer’s experience.

The portrait of Marilyn, inspired by her timeless allure, feels especially resonant with Robyn Hurder’s Broadway portrayal, as both artists celebrate Monroe’s larger-than-life presence. Semadar’s work invites viewers to reflect on the star’s cultural impact, making the show a perfect complement to SMASH’s theatrical tribute.

A Dual Celebration of an Icon

Robyn Hurder’s transformative performance in SMASH and Semadar’s innovative portrait at Carlton Fine Arts offer two distinct yet harmonious ways to experience Marilyn Monroe’s legacy. On Broadway, Hurder brings Marilyn’s glamour and heart to life, captivating audiences with every note and costume change. At Carlton Fine Arts, Semadar’s dotted masterpiece elevates her to an artistic muse, joining other legends in a vibrant display.

Don’t miss the chance to see Marilyn reborn. Catch Robyn Hurder in SMASH at the Imperial Theatre through early 2026, and visit Semadar’s exhibition at Carlton Fine Arts before it closes on April 25, 2025. Together, these tributes remind us why Marilyn Monroe remains an icon for the ages.

For SMASH tickets, visit smashbroadway.com. For exhibition details, contact Carlton Fine Arts at (212) 593-2800.

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Tony Award winner Greg Kotis, who wrote Urinetown, will star in his new play, The End of All Flesh, during the 9th annual Fringe Festival, which opens at five venues around the city on April 2nd and closes on April 20th. The comedy festival will feature over sixty-four boundary-pushing talents, including Jackie Skinner, Allison Villaseñor, Hayley Kar, and D’yan Forest, the 90-year-old performer who is the Guinness World Record holder for Oldest Female Comedian. Forest chuckled and told me, “I’m going to turn heads with my sexy show 90 Years of Song & Scandal.” Her show, written with Eric Kornfeld and Stephen Clarke, includes the story of how Forest divorced her husband and married a nun, proving comedy and scandal only get better with age. Forest will storm the stage at the Wild Project in the East Village on April 3rd. The festival supports the Indie Theater Community, with 100% of proceeds going directly to each artist.

Judith Pisar to Chair Young Concert Artists’ 64th Gala Honoring Clive Gillinson

Judith Pisar, the former Director of the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, will serve as the Gala Chair for the Young Concert Artists’ 64th Annual Benefit honoring Clive Gillinson, the artistic director of Carnegie Hall, on April 17th. The event at Jazz at Lincoln Center will feature performances by over a dozen musical luminaries, including pianists Emanuel Ax and Anne-Marie McDermott, both alumni of the YCA, as well as soprano Courtenay Budd and violinist Tim Fain. Pisar’s daughter Leah Pisar will miss the concert because she will be reciting the text of Leonard Bernstein’s third symphony, “Kaddish”, in Warsaw, Poland at the annual Beethoven Festival on April 18th. The text was written by her father, Samuel Pisar, who performed the piece around the world until his death in 2015. Judith Pisar’s son, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, introduced Leah and her mother when they performed the piece together at Carnegie Hall in January. yca.org

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