The phrase ‘diamonds are a girl’s best friend’ is commonly used and the song, made famous by Marilyn Monroe in the 1953 film version of the stage musical, is also widely known. 

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The musical this song comes from is perhaps less well-known, but the gorgeous score by Jule Styne (who also wrote the music for ‘Funny Girl’ and ‘Gypsy’) and the witty lyrics by Leo Robin, made this musical an in- instant classic. Based on the 1926 novel ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: The Intimate Diary of a Professional Lady’, the musical kept all of the subtle innuendos and hints of sexual freedom that made the book such a hit in the Jazz Age, and beautifully captures the feel of the 1920s, mixing it with the fabulous music and lovely harmonies of 1949. 

The musical introduced Carol Channing and ran for 740 performances. There have been numerous revivals, the most recent one starring Megan Hilty from the Musical Television Show ‘Smash’ - it received rave reviews. 

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This musical is no tearjerker, it is unashamedly a romantic comedy that employs the use of Lorelei’s ditziness, Dorothy’s dry wit, and a whole host of comedic characters to make the audience laugh. However, darker themes, like those of sexual exploitation and assault do creep in and are dealt with maturely and poignantly.