Vanities: A New Musical (Musical)
Encyclopedia
Vanities, A New Musical is a musical
with music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum and a book by Jack Heifner, based on the book and 1976 play
of the same name. The musical premiered Off-Broadway
in 2009, after an engagement at the Pasadena Playhouse
, California in 2008.
, California
on August 22, 2008. Music and lyrics were written by David Kirshenbaum, and the book by Jack Heifner with direction by Judith Ivey
and choreography by Dan Knechtges
. Lauren Kennedy
(as Mary), Sarah Stiles (as Joanne) and Anneliese van der Pol
(as Kathy) played the three former Texas cheerleaders. Prior to the Pasadena production, the musical was originally produced at TheatreWorks
in Palo Alto, California from June–July 2006.
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."
The musical premiered Off-Broadway
at Second Stage Theatre
on July 2, 2009 in previews, and officially opened on July 16, 2009. Performances continued through August 9, 2009. The original cast starred Anneliese van der Pol
as Kathy, Lauren Kennedy
as Mary, and Sarah Stiles as Joanne. This was same cast and creative team from the Pasadena Playhouse.
Michael A. Jenkins, producer of the musical, stated that a Broadway run isn't likely but a touring production in late 2010 or early 2011, including a stop at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas, is "quite likely," as is a simultaneous run in London.
Act II
Act III
* Above is the musical's last printed score, which was heavily changed during its Off-Broadway run.
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
with music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum and a book by Jack Heifner, based on the book and 1976 play
Vanities
Vanities is a comedy-drama stage production written by Jack Heifner. The story centers on the lives and friendship of three Texas cheerleaders starting from high school.-Production history:Vanities had one of the longest Off-Broadway runs on record...
of the same name. The musical premiered Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
in 2009, after an engagement at the Pasadena Playhouse
Pasadena Playhouse
The Pasadena Playhouse is a historic performing arts venue located 39 S El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, California. The 686-seat auditorium produces a variety of cultural and artistic events, professional shows, and community engagements each year.-History:...
, California in 2008.
Production history
Vanities, A New Musical opened at the Pasadena PlayhousePasadena Playhouse
The Pasadena Playhouse is a historic performing arts venue located 39 S El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, California. The 686-seat auditorium produces a variety of cultural and artistic events, professional shows, and community engagements each year.-History:...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
on August 22, 2008. Music and lyrics were written by David Kirshenbaum, and the book by Jack Heifner with direction by Judith Ivey
Judith Ivey
Judith Lee Ivey is an American actress and director.-Personal life:Ivey was born in El Paso, Texas, the daughter of Dorothy Lee , a teacher, and Nathan Aldean Ivey, a college instructor and dean. She spent 1965-1968 in Dowagiac, Michigan, where she attended Union High School through tenth grade...
and choreography by Dan Knechtges
Dan Knechtges
Dan Knechtges is a director and choreographer, for musicals, opera, television, film and music videos.-Life and career:Knechtges is from Grafton, Ohio and is a graduate of Midview High School and Otterbein College, with a degree in musical theatre. As a child, he took dance lessons in Elyria,...
. Lauren Kennedy
Lauren Kennedy
Lauren Kennedy is an actress and a singer who has performed numerous times on Broadway. She most recently starred in the Off-Broadway show Good Ol' Girls at the Black Box Theatre during the 2009-2010 season...
(as Mary), Sarah Stiles (as Joanne) and Anneliese van der Pol
Anneliese van der Pol
Anneliese Louise van der Pol is a Dutch-American actress and singer. After an early career in musical theatre, she was cast as Chelsea Daniels in the Disney Channel Original Series That's So Raven, a role that gained her renown among young audiences. Van der Pol also has a career as a singer and...
(as Kathy) played the three former Texas cheerleaders. Prior to the Pasadena production, the musical was originally produced at TheatreWorks
TheatreWorks
TheatreWorks may refer to:*TheatreWorks *TheatreWorks *TheatreWorks *Theatreworks *Theatreworks *Theatreworks USA*TheaterWorks...
in Palo Alto, California from June–July 2006.
The musical's original Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
premiere, scheduled for February 2009 at the Lyceum Theatre
Lyceum Theatre (New York)
The Lyceum Theatre is a Broadway theatre located at 149 West 45th Street in midtown-Manhattan.It has the distinction of being the oldest surviving Broadway venue , the oldest continuously operating legitimate theatre in New York City, and the first Broadway theatre ever to be granted landmark status...
, was postponed. Producer Sue Frost stated: "We're a victim of history, and the show will go on, and we are regrouping."
The musical premiered Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
at Second Stage Theatre
Second Stage Theatre
Second Stage Theatre is an award-winning contemporary Off-Broadway theater company.-Mission:The theatre's mission is to give new life to contemporary American plays and to produce the world premiers of new plays by both established and emerging playwrights...
on July 2, 2009 in previews, and officially opened on July 16, 2009. Performances continued through August 9, 2009. The original cast starred Anneliese van der Pol
Anneliese van der Pol
Anneliese Louise van der Pol is a Dutch-American actress and singer. After an early career in musical theatre, she was cast as Chelsea Daniels in the Disney Channel Original Series That's So Raven, a role that gained her renown among young audiences. Van der Pol also has a career as a singer and...
as Kathy, Lauren Kennedy
Lauren Kennedy
Lauren Kennedy is an actress and a singer who has performed numerous times on Broadway. She most recently starred in the Off-Broadway show Good Ol' Girls at the Black Box Theatre during the 2009-2010 season...
as Mary, and Sarah Stiles as Joanne. This was same cast and creative team from the Pasadena Playhouse.
Michael A. Jenkins, producer of the musical, stated that a Broadway run isn't likely but a touring production in late 2010 or early 2011, including a stop at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas, is "quite likely," as is a simultaneous run in London.
Cast Information
Original Off-Broadway Cast- Kathy - Anneliese van der PolAnneliese van der PolAnneliese Louise van der Pol is a Dutch-American actress and singer. After an early career in musical theatre, she was cast as Chelsea Daniels in the Disney Channel Original Series That's So Raven, a role that gained her renown among young audiences. Van der Pol also has a career as a singer and...
- Mary - Lauren KennedyLauren KennedyLauren Kennedy is an actress and a singer who has performed numerous times on Broadway. She most recently starred in the Off-Broadway show Good Ol' Girls at the Black Box Theatre during the 2009-2010 season...
- Joanne - Sarah StilesSarah StilesSarah Stiles is an American singer and actress who has been featured in various Off-Broadway and Broadway musicals. She is best known for her two roles, Lucy the Slut and Kate Monster, in the Off-Broadway production of Avenue Q which ranks 21st on the list of the longest running Off-Broadway shows...
Plot Summary
Three best friends journey through high school, college and their professional life, as they remember all their adventures. Joanne is a sweet, naive southern girl. Mary is very confident. Kathy is the planner. In high school, they are the popular cheer leaders and are planning all the social events. They go to college and plan to live together. They end up all in the same sorority, Kappa. Joanne gets married and becomes extremely conservative. Mary opens an art gallery and explores sexual liberation. Kathy ends up living the high life in New York City and reads all the books she was supposed to read in college, "they are so much better than the cliff's notes." They end up fighting when they meet at Kathy's fabulous apartment in New York. Joanne gets drunk in response and talks about how she never has a break from her kids and Ted never lets her drink. However, at a funeral, they all make up and they end as they started, three best friends.Musical Numbers
Act I- Who Am I Today — Kathy, Mary, Joanne
- Hey There, Beautiful — Kathy, Mary, Joanne
- An Organized Life — Kathy, Mary, Joanne
- I Can't Imagine — Kathy, Mary, Joanne
Act II
- I Don't Wanna Hear About It — Kathy, Mary, Joanne
- An Organized Life (Reprise) — Kathy, Mary, Joanne
- Fly Into the Future — Mary
- Cute Boys With Short Haircuts — Kathy
- We're Gonna Be Okay — Kathy, Mary, Joanne
- Let Life Happen — Kathy, Mary, Joanne
Act III
- The Same Old Music — Joanne
- An Organized Life (Reprise) — Kathy, Mary, Joanne
- Friendship Isn't What It Used to Be - Kathy, Mary, Joanne
- Letting Go — Kathy, Mary, Joanne