Bay Street Theater will celebrate its 35th Anniversary in 2026 with a summer season that honors its history while embracing what has always defined the theater: bold storytelling, artistic ambition, and the power of connection in an intimate room.
Perched on the wharf in the heart of Sag Harbor, Bay Street Theater offers something truly unique: a professional theater where artists and audiences share not only stories, but the same space, the same air, and the same moment. In this intimate setting, stories don’t just unfold… they meet you. The 2026 season brings together world premieres, reimagined classics, and dynamic musical storytelling, each chosen for the way it lives and breathes on the Bay Street stage.
“As an artist, I am always thinking about how a story lives in a space,” said Artistic Director Scott Schwartz. “For the first time, our summer lineup includes two world premieres alongside two back-to-back musicals, an exciting and ambitious combination that feels perfectly fitting as we celebrate our 35th year.”
The season opens with Mister Halston, a world premiere one-man play by Raffaele Pacitti, presented in association with Tony Award–winning producer Bruce Robert Harris. Set against the glamorous and volatile worlds of 1970s and ’80s New York, the play explores the meteoric rise, stunning fame, and ultimate fall of iconic American fashion designer Halston. In Bay Street’s intimate theater, the production offers a revealing portrait of the man behind the myth, stripping away spectacle to examine the human cost of ambition, artistry, and reinvention. Previews begin June 2, opening night is June 6, and the production runs through June 21, 2026.
In July, Bay Street presents Cagney, a Hollywood-inspired dance musical with music and lyrics by Robert Creighton and Christopher McGovern, and a book by Peter Colley, produced in association with Riki Kane Larimer. This high-energy production brings James Cagney to the stage through rhythm, song, and movement, celebrating his classic cinematic style. The score blends original songs with beloved tunes by George M. Cohan, paying tribute to Cagney’s vaudeville roots and patriotic flair. Previews begin June 30, opening night is Friday, July 3, and the production runs through July 26, 2026.
The season continues in August with Dear Evan Hansen, the Tony Award–winning musical with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Steven Levenson, presented as a co-production with A.C.T. of Connecticut. This reimagined production fully embraces the intimacy of the Bay Street space, giving voice to the hope, fear, and longing of being seen. Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen is a powerful and deeply human story of high schoolers and their parents seeking connection in a world that so desperately needs it. Previews begin August 4, opening night is August 8, and the production runs through August 29, 2026.
Closing the season is Bonkers in the Boroughs, a world premiere comedy written by Joy Behar, comprised of five original comedic short plays starring Behar and friends. Sharp, fearless, and laugh-out-loud funny, the production takes a candid look at relationships and the everyday absurdities of New York life, finding connection through humor. Bonkers in the Boroughs runs September 1–6, 2026.
“This anniversary season reflects the artists, audiences, and community who have shaped Bay Street Theater for 35 years,” said Executive Director Tracy Mitchell. “It celebrates our past, embraces the present, and looks ahead with confidence. We are excited to welcome audiences back for a summer of stories that feel immediate, meaningful, and shared.”
For more info, visit Baystreet.org.
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