Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (musical) Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (musical) Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a musical with a book by Joseph Fields and Anita Loos, lyrics by Leo Robin, and music by Jule Styne, based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Loos. The story involves an American woman's voyage to Paris to perform in a nightclub. The musical opened on Broadway in 1949 (running for 740 performances and introducing Carol Channing), a London production was mounted in 1962, and there was a Broadway revival in 1995. An adaptation called "Lorelei" (also starring Carol Channing) played on Broadway in 1974. It was made into
But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes Blondes". Both books began as sketch series originally published in "Harper's Bazaar" magazine. Loos had planned on retiring after writing "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" in order to care for her partner, John Emerson. However, she had promised "Harper's Bazaar" a sequel, so Loos and Emerson did not leave for Europe until shortly after the sequel had been published. The sequel to "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" is also narrated by Lorelei, the bubbly blonde; however, she tells the tale of her friend, Dorothy, a bright talented young woman who grew up in a carnival company; she is discovered by Charlie, who helps her