Theater News

Vanities Musical to Now Begin July 2 at Second Stage

Sarah Stiles, Lauren Kennedy, and
Anneliese van der Pol in Vanities
(© Craig Schwartz)
Sarah Stiles, Lauren Kennedy, and
Anneliese van der Pol in Vanities
(© Craig Schwartz)

The new musical Vanities, by Jack Heifner and David Kirshenbaum, will now begin performances at Second Stage Theater on July 2 (rather than the previously announced June 30), and continue through August 9. The opening date remains July 16.

The musical will be directed by Judith Ivey, and will star Lauren Kennedy, Sarah Stiles, and Anneliese van der Pol. Based on the smash hit 1976 comedy by Heifner that ran for 1,785 performances Off-Broadway, Vanities chronicles the comic journey of three bubbly Texas teens from cheerleaders to sorority sisters to housewives, liberated women, and beyond. The show had indefinitely postponed a planned Broadway run, prior to announcing that it would instead play Off-Broadway.

The show’s creative team includes Joe Aulisi (costumes), Carmel Dean (music direction), Dan Knechtges (choreography), Anna Louizos (sets), Tony Meola (sound), Paul Miller (lighting), and Lynne Shankel (orchestrations).

In addition to Vanities, Heifner is also the author of over 15 plays and has written the book to six musicals, including Leader of the Pack. Kirshenbaum is the composer-lyricist of Party Come Here, Summer of ’42, and Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus. Ivey is the recipient of the Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for her portrayals in Steaming and Hurlyburly. Her other directing credits include The Butcher of Baraboo, Fugue, Southern Comforts, and More.

Kennedy, who will play Mary, has appeared on Broadway in Monty Python’s Spamalot, Sunset Boulevard, and Les Miserables. Stiles, who will play Joanne appeared on Broadway in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and in the national tour of Avenue Q, while van der Pol, who will play Kathy, made her Broadway debut as Belle in Beauty and the Beast. All three played previously played their roles during a run last summer at the Pasadena Playhouse.

For more information, visit www.2ST.com.