Gulf Coast News’ Review of Vanities

Dave Elias | Reporter, Gulf Coast News Fort Myers

Published May 25, 2025

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Now playing at Players Circle Theater along McGregor Boulevard, “Vanities: The Musical” delivers a nostalgic, funny, and unexpectedly poignant portrait of friendship, femininity, and personal growth.

This spirited production, running through June 8, captures the essence of Jack Heifner and David Kirshenbaum’s off-Broadway gem while adding a local charm all its own.

They say a show is only as good as its performers, and at the heart of the show are three powerhouse performances from Natalie Brouwer (Kathy), Elizabeth D’Aiuto (Joanne), and Kimberly Suskind (Mary). Together, they carry the 90-minute, no-intermission piece with boundless energy, sharp comedic timing, and vocals that soar through Kirshenbaum’s pop-driven score. More impressively, each actress deftly navigates from hopeful, hair-sprayed high schoolers of the 1960s to the complex, self-aware women they become by the late 1980s.

Their chemistry feels genuine, making even the sharpest conflicts between characters feel rooted in long-standing love.

They are extremely relatable.

Brouwer’s Kathy evolves with a quiet intensity, offering a subtle emotional anchor as the characters age. D’Aiuto brings a delightful mix of bravado and vulnerability to Joanne, capturing both the glamour and the insecurity behind her traditional ideals. Suskind, as the rebellious Mary, delivers her lines with a sardonic edge and heartfelt warmth, making her character’s journey toward self-empowerment one of the most resonant in the show.

I love this show because I think we can see a little of ourselves in one or more of the characters and certainly we have friends in our lives that compare to the characters.

The production design, while simple, does wonders in conjuring the distinct eras — from pom-poms and letter sweaters in a Texas gym to sleek apartment chic in 1970s New York. Costumes and props help sketch out decades of change without overcomplicating the narrative flow.

The direction keeps the pacing tight, with transitions that are as fluid as the shifting decades they represent, along with the monitors that display the years and the big events that took place in each one.

Beyond its stylistic appeal, Vanities resonates because of its themes: growing up, growing apart, and the enduring strength of friendship. That message lands beautifully with the Fort Myers audience, who responded warmly to the show’s humor and emotional honesty.

If you’re looking for a night at the theater that blends sharp satire, heartfelt nostalgia, and a celebration of lifelong bonds, Vanities at Players Circle is not to be missed.

Verdict: Three cheers for Vanities, which provides vibrant performances and a story that’s both timely and timeless. “Vanities: The Musical” is a heartfelt standout in the Fort Myers theater scene this spring. Director Ted Wioncek III, along with artistic director Robert Cacioppo and producing director Carrie Lund Cacioppo, continue to prove this is the little theater that could, and they continue to bring “fresh” new shows to their audiences.

Players Circle Theater is located at 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. For more information, call 239-800-3292.