Blonde bombshells have always upheld a certain reputation. Madonna, and Marilyn Monroe before her, epitomized the slinky vixen. Doris Day sidestepped the cliche and built a career around a more demure image. The singer and actress, who turned 88 on April 3, holds the title of top-ranking female box office star. Classic films such as “Pillow Talk,” with Rock Hudson; Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Man Who Knew Too Much”; and “The Thrill of It All,” with James Garner, cemented Day’s box office appeal. In addition to her cinematic legacy, Day also made her mark on the music industry. Sentimental Journey: The Music of Doris Day showcases Day’s best known numbers and pays tribute to her career. In the deft hands of Laura Freeman, songs such as “Sentimental Journey” and “Secret Love” get dusted off. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Wilmette Theatre, 1122 Central Ave., Wilmette; $15 students and seniors, $20 for everyone else; 847-251-7424 or wilmettetheatre.com
