“Full production live theater is back this summer in Sag Harbor,” said Bay Street Theaters Artistic Director, Scott Schwartz , as he gave his “State of Bay Street Theater,” annual press Conference on Thursday May 12, in the Bay Street theater lobby. Accompanied by Allen O’Reilly, Bay Streets Director of Education and Community Outreach, Mr. Schwartz announced the summer lineup for the Main Stage consisting of plays, musicals, comedy nights, musical guest, children’s programs, and other goodies. The full listings of shows and ticket information is at: (http://www.baystreet.org)
He also made some news when he stated the Theater would remain in its present location on Long Wharf and Bay Street at least until the end of the 2024 season. Then with the assistance and input of Sag Harbor Village and Southampton Town officials he said the new Bay Street Theater could be operating for the 2025 season unless there are some unforeseen situations. He stressed the word, “co-operation,” as the key to new Bay Street Theater.
On August 13, 2013 Scott Schwartz was named Bay Street Theater’s Artistic Director. At the time he was. “a leading voice the next generation of American Theater.” Until Covid shut down theaters he had a series on consecutive best years ever at Bay Street in terms of revenue and attendance. He said, “It’s time to be together again, theater is about being in a space together and experiencing the energy of the person on stage…we want to remind everyone there is a joy to going to the theater.”
Mr. Schwartz hopes to “reignite” the magic audiences have experienced over the years seeing world class productions like, “Evita,” “My Fair Lady,” and “A Raisin in the Sun.” The first production “Windfall (May 31-June 19) is about five office workers in Columbus, Ohio who toll under the heavy hand of a maniacal boss and dream of a better life. Written by Scooter Pietsch and directed by Jason Alexander, it is a comedy that brilliantly satirizes the desire to have it all and tell our terrible boss off.
When he started to talk about the second production, “Anna in the Tropics,” Schwartz emphasized it would be the summer season (June 28-July24) and he believes the audiences will enjoy this production because, “…it has Cuban tropics flavor.” This show by Nilo Cruz is Directed by Marcos Santana, who also was involved with Bay Street’s production of, “Evita.”
To stress the ”all in.” for the 2022 season approach Mr. Schwartz announced that the final Main Stage production, the musical, “ Ragtime,” ( Aug.2-Aug.28) “Will be the largest cast for a production ever at Bay Street.”
A highlight of the Musical Mondays programs may be the appearance of a Julie Andrew directed presentation. On Monday August 22, at 7p.m. “Mousical,” directed by Julie Andrews will be presented on the Main Stage for one night.
Allen O’Reilly, Bay Streets Director of Education and Community Outreach, also spoke. Her addressed the Bay Street’s, “Kids and Teen Summer Camps,” that are held at the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum stat July 5th and run through August 26th. They will start at 9:30 a.m. and end at 12;30 p.m. a highlight may be the work with puppets at one of the sessions.
In closing the press conference, Mr. Schwartz emphasized what a wonderful and loyal theater community Bay Street has. He thanked the folks who stepped up financially during the pandemic to preserve the integrity of Bay Street so that it can emerge post pandemic with this full calendar of wonderful programing.
