"High Society" premiered at the American Conservatory Theater of San Francisco in an out-of-town tryout on September 4, 1997 and ran through October 5, 1997. The musical began previews on Broadway on March 31, 1998 and officially opened on April 27, 1998 at the St. James Theatre. "High Society" closed on August 30, 1998 after 144 performances. The musical was directed by Christopher Renshaw and choreographed by Lar Lubovitch, with assistance from director Des McAnuff and choreographer Wayne Cilento. The cast included Melissa Errico (Tracy Samantha Lord), Daniel McDonald (C.K. Dexter Haven), John McMartin (Uncle Willie), Stephen Bogardus (Mike Conner), Randy Graff (Liz Imbrie), Lisa Banes (Margaret Lord), Marc Kudisch (George Kittredge), a 12-year-old Anna Kendrick (Dinah Lord; Theatre World Award), and Daniel Gerroll (Seth Lord). The original Broadway run was produced by Lauren Mitchell & Robert Gailus, Hal Luftig & Richard Samson, and Dodger Endemol Theatricals, in association with Bill Haber. Designers included Loy Arcenas (sets), Jane Greenwood (costumes) and Howell Binkley (lighting).