“Annie Get Your Gun” And “Safe Space” Coming To Bay Street Next Summer

Winter may not officially have even begun yet, but Bay Street Theater has us dreaming of summer 2019 with the announcement of two of its 2019 Mainstage Summer Season productions.

Programming will launch with the World Premiere of Safe Space, which will run from Tuesday, May 28 through Sunday, June 16. The play, which was written by Alan Fox, will be directed by three-time Tony Award Winner Jack O’Brien (The Hard Place, Hairspray, The Coast of Utopia).

Additionally, Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun returns to the stage in a newly envisioned musical production led by director Sarna Lapine (Sunday in the Park with George, Bay Street’s Frost/Nixon). Inspired by Herbert and Dorothy Fields’ book, the musical will feature music and lyrics by Berlin. It can be seen Tuesday, July 30 through Sunday, August 25.

“We are thrilled to announce two of Bay Street’s 2019 Mainstage Summer Productions,” Scott Schwartz, Bay Street Theater’s Artistic Director, shared. “With the world premiere of a searing new play directed by one of America’s leading theater artists, and a visionary revival of a classic musical directed by a rising star, Bay Street will again offer our audiences productions that I know will be the talk of the East End all summer long.”

Its second production, which will run Tuesday, June 25 through Sunday, July 21, has yet to be revealed.

Set at a prestigious university, Safe Space revolves around a volatile chain of events set into motion when a student accuses a star African-American professor of racism. Fox’s work impressed film producer, who is now working with him on a feature adaptation of the play, and also his untitled movie about Charlie Chaplin. Fox is also adapting his novel A Mannequin Life for television, with ABCSignature and Kerry Washington’s Simpson Street producing.

Annie Get Your Gun, a beloved musical from Broadway’s Golden Age, revolves around sharpshooter Annie Oakley, who starred in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Lapine will infuse a fresh, modern approach to the classic show – resulting in the “most revolutionary Annie Oakley you’ve ever seen.” But, of course there will be the tunes everyone loves to hum along to – like There’s No Business Like Show Business, Anything You Can Do, and I Got Sun in the Morning.

“Bay Street is a center for new work and bold revivals of classics, and 2019 promises to be one of our most exciting seasons yet!” Schwartz added.

Bay Street is located at 1 Bay Street. For more information, visit www.baystreet.org.