
1971: Vain Victory
Jackie Curtis, a gender-fluid artist and superstar of Andy Warhol's cinematography who oscillated between female and male personas, wrote and directed performances of the Little Mermaid–ish musical Vain Victory, filled with Ridiculous Theatrical Company–style retro Hollywood references. Transgender performer Candy Darling originated the part of a mermaid who dreams of having legs and was replaced by fellow transwoman Holly Woodlawn. Performances of this high-camp classic brought a wide array of boldfaced names (Lily Tomlin, Tennessee Williams, John Lennon and Yoko Ono and former NYC Mayor John V. Lindsay) to La MaMa E.T.C. Vain Victory also played as a celebration of the gender nonconforming.