Bay Street's DINNER Closes 8/2, DAMES AT SEA Opens 8/11

As the end of July approaches, so too does the final curtain on Bay Street's darkly humorous, Dinner, featuring Mercedes Ruehl. Recently reviewed by the press as "...supremely acted, riveting, beautifully written... breathtaking in its accomplishments," this American premiere is a unanimous success. A dinner party from hell is the focus of this wicked satirical comedy, where caustic comments fly like poisonous darts across the dinner table. The playwright reminds us that "revenge is a dish best served cold", but at this dinner party it is served frozen. The play closes August 2nd and tickets are going fast.

The award winning talent on Bay Street's stage will continue, as the next production swings into full gear on August 11th with the musical Dames At Sea. In this rollicking valentine to the Hollywood musical of the 30's, a plucky theatre company, along with a sweet young girl newly arrived from Centerville USA, lose their home on opening night. But the show MUST go on!

Written by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller, with music by Jim Wise, Dames At Sea originated off off-Broadway in 1966 at the Caffe Cino then moved to off-Broadway at the Bouwerie Lane Theatre in 1968. Dames At Sea won several awards, including a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical. After enjoying a successful run off-Broadway, Dames At Sea went on to have a London run, a television adaptation, and a number of revivals.

In Bay Street's production, the cast is a talented mix with Laurie Wells as the tempermental diva star, Joyce Chittick the wise-cracking chorus girl, and Stuart Marland as the producer/manager, Hennesy. When sweet, naïve Ruby, played by Kristen Martin, arrives fresh from Utah, she has "nothing but tap shoes in her suitcase and a prayer in her heart." Wanting to make it big on Broadway, she catches a break and is hired by Hennesy as a chorus girl. Almost immediately, romance is afloat when Ruby meets Dick, the sailor of her dreams, played by Xavier Cano, and his friend Lucky, played by Patrick Wetzel. Chaos ensues as the theatre is set for demolition on the opening night of the show and everyone scrambles to find a new home.

Dames at Sea previews Tuesday, August 11th through Friday, August 14th, with opening night Saturday, August 15th. A talk back will be held after the show on Tuesday, August 18th. The show runs Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8pm, and Sundays at 7pm, with matinees Wednesdays and Saturdays, beginning Wednesday, August 19 at 2pm and Saturdays after that at 4pm through the run.

Tickets are $65 and $75, and can be purchased online at www.baystreet.org or by calling the Box Office at 631-725-9500, or in person at the Box Office, on the Long Wharf, Sag Harbor open 11am daily.

Bay Street Theatre is a not-for-profit institution, dedicated to presenting new, classic and contemporary works of the highest quality, which challenge as well as entertain, speak to the diversity of the community and champion the human spirit. Bay Street's 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 Walter McBride