The world premiere of Kate Hamill’s Vanity Fair officially opens Off-Broadway April 2 with the Pearl Theatre Company. Hamill, who recently penned the Off-Broadway hit Sense & Sensibility, also stars as Becky Sharp in the new adaptation of William Thackeray’s 1848 novel.
Directed by Eric Tucker, performances began March 24 at the Pearl Theatre, located at 555 West 42nd Street, New York.
Vanity Fair follows the life of Becky Sharp, who is poor but clever, and uses romantic trysts and social climbing to secure her position in 19th century British society—an environment that values good birth and good manners over skill.
“I’m committed to reclaiming the classics for all genders,” shared Hamill in an earlier press statement. “In adapting Thackeray’s novel, I wanted to write a play that provided a glimpse into a deep female friendship between two different female archetypes and the parallel paths they travel to overcome the limitations posed upon them. I also wanted the play to serve as a reminder not to judge others too harshly, because the truth is we’re all so fallible.”
In addition to Hamill, the ensemble of Vanity Fair features The Pearl’s resident acting company members Joey Parsons and Brad Heberlee, along with Zack Fine, Tom O’Keefe, Ryan Quinn, and Debargo Sanyal.
The creative team includes set designer Sandra Goldmark, costume designer Valérie Thérèse Bart, lighting designer Seth Reiser, and production stage manager Katherine Whitney.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting pearltheatre.org or calling (212) 563–9261.
(Updated April 2, 2017)
