Ilika, Johnson, & Wildrick Cast in 5th Avenue/ACT VANITIES

The casting of Vanities: A New Musical, a co-production between The 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT Theatre running at ACT from February 4 to May 1, 2011, was announced today.

Seattle-based actors, Cayman Ilika, Jennifer Sue Johnson and, Billie Wildrick will play Kathy, Joanne and Mary, three women who journey from high school innocence in the early '60s of the Kennedy era to maturity in the "me-centered" ‘80s.

The trio of actresses has plenty of experience on local stages. Ilika was most recently seen in The 5th's production of Candide, received critical praise for her lead performance at ACT in Always Patsy Cline and a Footlight Award for her performance as Julie in Village Theatre's 2009 production of Showboat. Johnson was in last season's On The Town at The 5th and Das Barbecü at ACT, and has multiple credits with Seattle Shakespeare Company and Book-It. Wildrick shared the stage with Johnson in Das Barbecü, and her 5th Avenue credits include Candide, On The Town, Wonderful Town (for which she received a Footlight Award) and Dot in Sunday in the Park with George, for which she received a Gregory Award nomination.

"For a musical like Vanities to be successful, you need a trio of musical theatre performers who are at the top of their game," said the show's director, David Armstrong, Executive Producer and Artistic Director of The 5th. "These three represent the cream of Seattle's talent. We're thrilled to be bringing such powerhouses to the intimate ACT stage for a show that combines comedy, pathos and thrilling music."

"Vanities fulfills a cherished dream of mine: to join with another distinguished Seattle arts institution such as The 5th Avenue Theatre in a long term collaboration designed to expand both of our artistic horizons," said Kurt Beattie, ACT Artistic Director. "Musical theater speaks to audiences in a very particular and very wonderful kind of way, and for many years musicals had a place in ACT's season. I for one am delighted that we've initiated a return to that programming with our hit productions of A Marvelous Party in 2008 and last year's Das Barbecü. This wonderful opportunity with The 5th will allow both of us to create new and exciting contributions to the musical literature, and to expand both our repertoires and audiences together. I can't wait for Vanities to begin!"

Based on the smash hit 1976 comedy that ran for 1,785 performances Off-Broadway, Vanities: A New Musical is a funny, sexy and poignant look at the journey of three All-American girls as they mature from cheerleaders to sorority sisters to independent women. With music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum and a book by the play's original author Jack Heifner, Vanities offers a portrait of the lives, loves, and disappointments of three best friends caught up in "times that were a-changin."

Joining Armstrong for this production as musical director is Ian Eisendrath, The 5th's Resident Musical Director. The show's set is being designed by Matthew Smucker, whose work includes last season's critically acclaimed Candide at The 5th and this year's The Trip to Bountiful and Yankee Tavern (opens August 5) at ACT, and the creative team includes costume designer Catherine Hunt, lighting designer Tom Sturge and sound designer Ken Travis.

As part of this co-production, which will be part of both theatres' seasons, The 5th Avenue and ACT are sharing ticketing duties. 5th Avenue season ticket holders can pre-order additional single tickets beginning August 3, with tickets going on sale to the general public through both box offices on August 17, available over the phone by calling 206-625-1900/toll-free 888-5TH-4TIX, in person at the box office at 1308 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, or online at www.5thavenue.org for The 5th Avenue Theatre and 206-292-7676, 700 Union Street, Seattle, WA 98101, online at www.acttheatre.org for ACT.

In addition to Vanities on sale August 17, all 5th Avenue 2009-2010 Season productions will be available over the phone by calling 206-625-1900/toll-free 888-5TH-4TIX (584-4849), in person at the box office at 1308 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, or online at www.5thavenue.org.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is Seattle's premier musical theater. In 1980, the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre began producing and presenting top-quality live musical theater for the cultural enrichment of the Northwest community. The 5th Avenue Theatre maintains a subscription audience of over 25,000 and an annual attendance of more than 287,000. It ranks among the nation's largest and most respected musical theater companies. The Theatre is committed to encouraging the next generation of theatergoers through its Educational Outreach Program which includes: The Adventure Musical Theatre Touring Company, The 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards, the Student Matinee Program and Spotlight Nights. Unique in its Chinese-inspired design, the exquisite theater opened in 1926 as a venue for vaudeville and film. Today, under the leadership of Executive Producer and Artistic Director David Armstrong, Managing Director Bernie Griffin and Producing Director Bill Berry, The 5th Avenue Theatre continues to achieve the highest standards in all aspects of artistic endeavors and facility operations, while preserving its artistic, architectural and historic legacy. Visit www.5thavenue.org.

Special thanks to The 5th's 2011 Corporate Co-Sponsors Safeco Insurance and US Bank.

Located in the heart of downtown Seattle and serving a population of curious, open-minded, and brave audiences, ACT - A Contemporary Theatre is the only local theatre in Seattle dedicated to producing contemporary work with promising playwrights and local performing artists since 1965. A theatre of new ideas, ACT serves as a cultural engine that makes plays, dance, music, and film that touch us. Because contemporary life demands examination, ACT is driven to inspire and strengthen our diverse community through works that advance our understanding of human life. With more than 100,000 people who attend shows annually, ACT is an interactive community where artists and the public witness, contemplate, and engage in dialogue on today's thought-provoking issues, ideas and art, presented with intelligence, insight, and humor.

ACT gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Season Sponsors ArtsFund, ACT Foundation, The Mayor's Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, and The Shubert Foundation, along with Producing Partners 4Culture, The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, The Boeing Company, Microsoft Corporation, Nesholm Family Foundation, the Peg & Rick Young Foundation, and PONCHO.

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