Bay Street Theatre Presents American Premiere of MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE, 5/29

Bay Street Theatre is pleased to announce the first production of the 2012 Mainstage Season. Polly Draper stars in MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE, by Geraldine Aron. This American Premiere runs May 29 – June 24. The production is directed by Matt McGrath, one of Bay Street's Artistic Associates.

Divorce CAN be fun. This one-woman show tells the story of American ex-pat Angela whose irritatingly round-headed British husband takes off. She's left to cope with a disapproving mother, a shifty attorney and a bad case of hypochondria. Poignant, insightful...and very, very funny. A real treat from across the pond! Previews Tuesday, May 29 through Friday, June 1 are sponsored by Peconic Landing.

Polly Draper (Angela), is best known for her role as Ellen on the groundbreaking series "thirtysomething", for which she received an Emmy nomination. Broadway credits include CLOSER, Brooklyn Boy, and CRAZY HE CALLS ME. Ms. Draper also starred in the original New York productions of FOR DOGS AND A BONE, Neil Simon's ACTORS AND ACTRESSES, John Cassavetes' THORN HILL, IMAGINING BRAD, SISTER MARY IGNATIUS, RUM AND COKE, and TOP GIRLS among others. She recently appeared in STANDING ON CEREMONY at Minetta Lane and The Escort at the Geffen Playhouse. She is currently filming a role in Steven Soderbergh's Bitter Pill. Her most recent film and television credits include a role on the Showtime series "The Big C", and a role in the feature film Our Idiot Brother. She wrote, produced, and starred in the critically acclaimed feature film, The Tic Code, which won awards at film festivals worldwide including Berlin, Vancouver, and the Hamptons. Draper has also spent the last five years writing, producing, and directing The Naked Brothers Band, a movie and subsequent hit Nickelodeon television series she created, for which she won many awards, including a WGA award. Miss Draper received a BA and MFA from Yale.

Geraldine Aron (playwright) was born in Ireland and spent her adult life in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Aron wrote several award winning plays for Ireland's Druid Theatre Company, including BAR & GER, A GALWAY GIRL, SAME OLD MOON, THE DONAHUE SISTERS, THE STANLEY PARKERS and MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE. Geraldine is also the author of twelve produced television and radio plays and two screenplays.

Matt McGrath (director) most recently appeared in NEXT FALL at the Diversionary Theater in San Diego. Prior to that he stepped into the role of Frank' N Furter in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at The Old Globe Theater. McGrath, last season, directed Darrell Hammond in TRU. Bay Street audiences may remember his performances as an actor in JAPES, THE LADY IN QUESTION, BEYOND THERAPY, BELL BOOK & CANDLE and ROMANCE. He was the recipient of the Bienecke Fellowship from the Yale School of Drama in 2007 and also received an Honorary Masters Degree from The American Conservatory Theater. His work performing in THE BLACK RIDER by Tom Waits and William S. Burroughs in London, San Francisco and Sydney, dir. Robert Wilson, earned him a Helpmann Award nomination. Broadway credits include: CABARET (Emcee) dir. by Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall and also A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. Off Broadway: HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, DISTANT FIRES (L.A. Weekly Award), A FAIR COUNTRY, GRACELAND, AMULETS AGAINST THE DRAGON FORCES and DALTON'S BACK (Drama Desk Nom.) Film credits include: Full Grown Men (Tribeca Film Festival '06), Boys Don't Cry, The Notorious Bettie Page, (both by Killer Films), The Anniversary Party, and The Broken Hearts Club.

The 2012 Mainstage Season program is partially funded by the Suffolk County Executive's Office and Suffolk County National Bank.

Single tickets to see MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE and 3-play 2012 Mainstage Season subscriptions are available online at www.baystreet.org or by calling the Box Office at 631-725-9500. Based on availability, there will be up to 20 tickets sold for each performance for $20 available after 2 pm (excluding June 2, July 7 and August 11). The first preview performance on May 29 will be "Pay What You Can" available after 2 pm that day at the Box Office only and based on availability. The Box Office is currently open Wed.-Sat. 11-5 pm. It will be open 7 days a week beginning Wednesday., May 30

Bay Street Theatre is a not-for-profit institution presenting new, classic and contemporary works with a commitment to challenging and entertaining our diverse community. This commitment extends to educational programs for all ages to foster the continued value of theatre as a vital art form for future generations.

Photo credit: Barry Gordin