Vanities (1981)

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Vanities is a television version of the stage comedy-drama Vanities. It premiered on HBO in March 1981 as part of the channel's Standing Room Only series. The story concerns the lives, loves and friendship of three Texas cheerleaders starting from high school to post college graduation. The television special starred Annette O'Toole, Meredith Baxter Birney and Shelley Hack and was written by Jack Heifner. [1] [2]

Vanities on Home Box Office (HBO)
Vanities on Home Box Office (HBO)

Contents

[edit] TV cast

[edit] Stage versions

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 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).[3] [4]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. [5]

A new version (Vanities, A New Musical) of the play opens at the Pasadena Playhouse, California starting 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) play the 3 former cheerleaders. [6][7]

Prior to this production, the musical was originally produced at TheatreWorks in Palo Alto, California in June-July 2006.[8]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ HBO Program Guide
  2. ^ Internet Movie Database
  3. ^ Lortel database
  4. ^ 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"
  5. ^ American Theater Guide
  6. ^ 2008 Vanities performance
  7. ^ playbill article
  8. ^ playbill article

[edit] External links