Years Unkind to Women, ‘Vanities’

Times were apparently hard for ex-high school cheerleaders in the ‘60s. The three in “Vanities” barely make it out of Jack Heifner’s sporadically amusing comedy intact.

We first meet the young women in Cal State Fullerton’s Arena Theatre as they face the biggest anxiety of their senior year: making sure the pep rally cheers come out right and deciding the theme song for the prom. Later, as they approach their 30th birthdays, more important concerns crease their freckled foreheads.

Kathy loathes the children she used to teach and apparently is shacked up with some rich guy. Mary is a caustic, man-gobbling owner of an erotic art gallery in Manhattan. Joanne, a tribute to Betty Crocker, has lovely children and a philandering husband. Oh, and she drinks like a sailor.

In other words, all three are having varying degrees of identity crisis. That’s what made Heifner’s play a modest success off-Broadway in 1976--he was able, through jokes and pathos, to connect with the collective anxiety many women felt when considering their newly liberated futures.

Now, however, “Vanities” feels like an anachronism. Women may have the same worries, but the comedy no longer seems a fresh, clever take on them. At CSUF, director Joseph Arnold and his lively cast do what they can to overcome the dated material.

The actresses are capable. Keri Hostetler conveys Mary’s evolution easily; open and willing at the start, she seems wary and controlling by the final scenes of the old pals’ reunion.

Happy, it ain’t. Jennifer Adams’ Kathy, the unofficial leader and optimistic center, is disillusioned and has to work hard to glow even a bit like she used to. Shannon Mahoney’s Joanne has, on the surface, changed the least, but her vitality has a tinge of desperation. No longer such a pretty picture, these three.

The third act is supposed to be a big closer, loaded with revelations. Yet these days, talk about sex, drugs and abortion doesn’t inspire more than a ho-hum, and the finale is flat, even with the decent acting.

Designer Hannah Smith’s scenery comfortably fits the theater-in-the-round setting but doesn’t stand out. Ronald A. Voss’ lighting is also just serviceable. Abel Zeballos’ costumes have flair, especially in the final scene, when Mary arrives in a hip but ostentatious suit that clearly shows her pretense.

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“Vanities,” Arena Theatre at Cal State Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd. Today-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Saturday matinee, 2:30 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m. Ends Sunday. $5-$7. (714) 278-3371. Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes.

Keri Hostetler: Mary

Jennifer Adams: Kathy

Shannon Mahoney: Joanne

A Cal State Fullerton production of Jack Heifner’s play. Directed by Joseph Arnold. Set: Hannah Smith. Costumes: Abel Zeballos. Lighting: Ronald A. Voss. Sound: Patrick Johnson. Stage manager: Heather Ransons.