Vanities the Musical at Trafalgar Studios 2

10th anniversary production of Vanities the Musical at Trafalgar Studios 2

A new production of David Kirshenbaum and Jack Heifner 2009 off-Broadway hit Vanities the Musical will open at the Trafalgar Studios 2, a studio theatre in central London, running from 1 September to 1 October 2016, with an official opening on 6 September. 

This European premiere will feature BBC's Over the Rainbow and Bend it Like Beckham star Lauren Samuels, alongside Ashleigh Gray (Wicked, Cool Rider) and Lizzy Connolly (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Xanadu).  Described as an "all American musical" it tells the story of three best friends growing up in Dallas at a time when image and style were more important than brains and ambition.

Vanities was originally produced at TheatreWorks in Palo Alto, California in 2006 before opening at the Pasadena Playhouse, California in 2008. The production was attempting to transfer to Broadway's Lyceum Theatre in 2009, but the run was postponed and opened instead at the Second Stage Theatre off-Broadway where it opened on 16 July 2009. 

The London premiere will feature new material and be directed and choreographed by Racky Plews. 

Writers Jack Heifner and David Kirshenbaum said of the news: "On the fortieth anniversary of the play Vanities, there's no better gift than having the musical version of the play open in London. This isn't just an American musical. It is a look into the lives of three girls who see nothing deeper than their reflection in the mirror. Given the wrong set of rules to live by, they find they are unprepared for the journey into a world that puts value on much more than just appearances. We're thrilled that this show is finally being produced in London but moreover, that it's happening with these producers, this creative team, and this cast..."