Valerie Bertinelli’s Mid-’80s ‘Vanities’ Stage Throwback
Actress revisits Santa Barbara theater days sharing rare snapshots from a 1980s production
Poulami is an associate editor. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.
Read full bio of Poulami Nag
Image: Instagram
Valerie Bertinelli Revisits Mid-’80s Stage Production
In her latest #waybackwednesday post, actress Valerie Bertinelli (@wolfiesmom on Instagram) shared a throwback photo from the mid-1980s of her performing in Jack Heifner’s play ‘Vanities’ in Santa Barbara. The caption reads, “#waybackwednesday mid ’80’s Stage production of ‘Vanities’ in Santa Barbara. Just a short run and a whole heck of a lot of fun.” Fans flocked to the comments to applaud her early theater work and the candid glimpse behind the scenes.
Tracing Bertinelli’s Early Career
Valerie Bertinelli, born April 23, 1960, rose to fame at age 16 playing Barbara Cooper on the CBS sitcom One Day at a Time (1975–84). By the mid-1980s, she was expanding her repertoire to include live theater, joining a limited-run production of Jack Heifner’s ‘Vanities’ in Santa Barbara. Though the engagement was brief, Bertinelli’s post highlights the excitement she felt stepping away from television and onto the stage.
Inside The ‘vanities’ Throwback
The black-and-white image captures Bertinelli in full costume, delivering a spirited performance under the California sun. ‘Vanities,’ a three-act satire about a trio of high-school cheerleaders navigating love, loss and ambition, originally premiered off-Broadway in 1976 and has seen numerous revivals since. Bertinelli’s caption underlines the joy of that short run and hints at the camaraderie she formed with her castmates.
With decades behind her—from Emmy nominations for her television work to best-selling cookbooks and a vibrant online presence—Bertinelli continues to celebrate her past even as she moves forward. Her #waybackwednesday series offers fans a chance to see the milestones that shaped her career, and this latest peek at her ‘Vanities’ days is no exception.
Read full bio of Poulami Nag
