Vanities is a comedy-drama stage production. The story centers on the lives and friendship of three Texas cheerleaders starting from high school. Vanities had one of the longest Off-Broadway runs on record. The comedy, written by Jack Heifner, opened at Playwrights Horizon, New York City on January 15, 1976, for 13 performances, and then transferred to the Chelsea Theatre Center (now the Westside Theatre) where it opened on March 22, 1976 and closed August 3, 1980, running for 1,785 performances. The cast included Kathy Bates as Joanne, Jane Galloway (Kathy) and Susan Merson (Mary). [1] [2] Heifner received a 1976 Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding New Play. Other productions were performed in local colleges and theatres for a short time. [3]

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Musical Adaption

A musical adaptation, Vanities, A New Musical , opened at the Pasadena Playhouse, California on August 22, 2008. Music and lyrics are by David Kirshenbaum and the book is by Jack Heifner, with direction by Judith Ivey and choreography by Dan Knechtges. Lauren Kennedy (Mary), Sarah Stiles (Joanne) and Anneliese van der Pol (Kathy) played the three former cheerleaders. ^{[4] [5]} Prior to this production, the musical was originally produced at TheatreWorks in Palo Alto, California in June-July 2006. ^[6]

The musical's original Broadway premiere, scheduled for February 2009 at the Lyceum Theatre, was postponed. Producer Sue Frost stated: "We're a victim of history, and the show will go on, and we are regrouping." ^{[7] [8]} The show then made its New York City debut Off-Broadway at the Second Stage Theatre on July 2, 2009 in previews, and officially opened on July 16, 2009. Performances continued through August 9, 2009. The same cast and creative team from the Pasadena Playhouse were in the off-Broadway production. ^{[9] [10] [11]}

Cast information

;Original Off-Broadway Cast

• Kathy - Anneliese van der Pol
• Mary - Lauren Kennedy
• Joanne - Sarah Stiles

Cast Recording

The Original Cast Recording will be released in late 2009 with Sh-K-Boom Records. The CD will include Anneliese van der Pol as Kathy, Lauren Kennedy as Mary, and Sarah Stiles as Joanne.

Notes

1. Lortel database
2. Klein, Alvin, "The New York Times", p. LI 13, August 17, 1980, "The House That 'Vanities' Built" "Vanities"...closed off Broadway two weeks ago, setting the record as its longest-running nonmusical"
3. American Theater Guide
4. "2008 ''Vanities'' listing",pasadenaplayhouse.com
5. Jones, Kenneth. "Three Cheers: Kennedy, Stiles and van der Pol to Star in Broadway-Aimed Vanities", playbill.com, May 30, 2008
6. Jones, Kenneth." 'Sisters' of Hit Play Vanities Now Sing in New Musicalization", playbill.com, June 24, 2006
7. Jones, Kenneth. "Musical Vanities Will Play Broadway's Lyceum, Starting Feb. 2, 2009", playbill.com, November 11, 2008
8. Jones, Kenneth. "Producers of Musical Vanities Drop February 2009 Broadway Plan, Aim for Future", playbill.com, December 5, 2008
9. Hernandez, Ernio and Jones, Kenneth. Musical Vanities to Make NYC Bow at Off-Broadway's Second Stage playbill.com, April 15, 2009
10. Hernandez, Ernio."Three Cheers: New Musical Vanities Begins Off-Broadway Run July 2,"playbill.com, July 2, 2009
11. Isherwood, Charles."Theatre Review:Gimme a L-I-F-E! Yay, Girls! Grow Up!"New York Times, July 17, 2009