The New York Theatre Workshop Production of Claudia Shear's Dirty Blonde opens at the Helen Hayes Theatre on May 1, just two days ahead of the May 3 opening deadline for Tony eligibility. Claudia Shear (playwright and star) and James Lapine (director) co-conceived the show and shepherded its move to Broadway .

The original cast of the New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) production of Dirty Blonde transfers intact to the Helen Hayes Theatre. Along with Shear, Dirty Blonde features Kevin Chamberlin and Bob Stillman.

Earlier this season, the play marked Shear's return to NYTW, where she triumphed in 1993 with her one woman "tour de résumé" Blown Sideways, a 64-job search for employment. That piece earned her an Obie Award and a Drama Desk Award nomination.

Dirty Blonde involves two single New Yorkers who meet at Mae West's grave site and goes on to trace the couple's changing relationship while simultaneously tracking West's career.

The Broadway run of Dirty Blonde at the Helen Hayes began previews April 14. The NYTW production also had a busy preview period that preceded full houses and a strong buzz. Originally scheduled to close Feb. 6 at NYTW, the show was extended to Feb. 13, when it has to close to make way for the next production at NYTW, the Christopher Ashley-directed production of playwright Jean Marie Besset's What You Get and What You Expect. The Helen Hayes opening, taking place as it does just two days before the Tony deadline is something of a triumph for the production considering the acute shortage of theatres and the competition for space on Broadway.

Tickets are $65. The Helen Hayes Theatre is located at 240 West 44th Street. For tickets call Telecharge at (212) 239-6200 or (800) 432-7250.