Bay Street Announces Upcoming Season

Bay Street Theatre is celebrating its 20th season and has announced the 2011 Mainstage productions. From the insightful look into the life of Truman Capote, to the wild comedy of Christopher During, and a Broadway bound musical.

"This is our 20th Season and definitely the year "not to be missed," says Tracy Mitchell, Executive Director. "Bay Street offers Broadway talent right in our own back yard here on the East End. We couldn't be more excited about our 20th year."

Here is the lineup:

TRU (May 31- June 26), by Jay Presson Allen; directed by Judith Ivey; featuring Darrell Hammond as Truman Capote. This look into a part of Truman Capote's life was first produced on Broadway, earning Robert Morse a Tony for Best Actor in 1990.

"Capote had a truly unique American voice in his work," says Artistic Director Sybil Christopher. "And he was not only one of the country's celebrated writers but he was also a resident of the East End."

Darrell Hammond, a Bay Street Artistic Associate, is widely know for his long standing role on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, having spent 14 years as a cast member impersonating over 107 luminaries such as Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Donald Trump and Sean Connery. He appeared in Bay Street's ROMANCE and BEYOND THERAPY, and performed stand up at Bay Street's Comedy Club. One of America's great actresses, Tony award-winner Judith Ivey, will direct Hammond in his role as Truman Capote. Ivey recently played Amanda in THE GLASS MANAGERIE (Long Wharf Theatre) and reprised the role on Broadway (Roundabout Theatre). Television audiences know her as B.J. Poteet on DESIGNING WOMEN. Ivey won two Tony Awards for STEAMING and HURLYBURY. Her directing credits include VANITIES: A NEW MUSICAL (Pasadena Playhouse), FUGUE (Cherry Lane), STEEL MAGNOLIAS (Alley Theatre).

Playwright Jay Presson Allen, was no stranger to the screen and stage. Her credits include THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE (stage & screenplay), and screenplays for Hitchcock's MARNIE, FUNNY LADY, and CABARET. TRU takes place shortly after a portion of Capote's book "Answered Prayers" was published in Esquire Magazine. This prompted many of his friends to turn against him.

"TRU is written with compassion and humor," says Artistic Director Murphy Davis. "We see Truman confronting his demons, successes, failures, and reflecting on his extraordinary life." This program is partially funded by the Suffolk County Executive's Office.
TRU begins previews on May 31; followed by opening night on June 4, with the final performance on June 26, 2011.

Between July 5 -31, the wild comedy BETTY'S SUMMER VACATION, by Christopher Durang, takes the stage; directed by Trip Cullman. This comedy is about a young woman who spends the summer in a beach town which soon becomes a nightmare of a summer share!

"Since seeing and loving BETTY'S SUMMER VACATION at Playwrights Horizon, years ago," says Davis, "we've always wanted to produce this play at Bay Street."

"Due to the incredible response from our audience for other over-the-top comedies such as ROMANCE, DINNER, and BEYOND THERAPY," says Christopher, "we knew it was time to present one of Durang's most outrageous comedies."

Christopher Durang's credits include BEYOND THERAPY which was part of the 2008 Mainstage Season at Bay Street Theatre, THE MARRIAGE OF BETTE AND BOO, A HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FILM (Tony nomination), SISTER MARY IGNATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU, BABY WITH THE BATHWATER, LAUGHING WILD, MRS. BOB CRATCHIT'S CHRISTMAS BINGE and MISS WITHERSPOON. He appeared with Sigourney Weaver in their co-authored DAS LUSITANIA SONGSPIEL and with Julie Andrews in the Stephen Soundheim review of PUTTING IT TOGETHER. He co-chairs the Playwriting Program at The Juilliard School and is a member of the Dramatists Guild Council.

At the helm of Bay Street's production will be director Trip Cullman, whose credits include Broadway's TAKE ME OUT (Associate Director) and Off Broadway directing of: A SMALL FIRE, THE DRUCKEN CITY, SOME MEN, THE WOODEN BREEKS, DOG SEES GOD, MANIC FLIGHT REACTION, SWIMMING IN THE SHALLOWS, ROULETTE, LAST SUNDAY IN JUNE. For television, he was part of the set team for the mini-series, ANGELS IN AMERICA.
BETTY'S SUMMER VACATION begins previews on July 5; followed by opening night on July 9, with the final performance on July 31, 2011.

Next is the Broadway bound, ENTER LAUGHING: THE MUSICAL (August 9- September 4); book by Joseph Stein; music and lyrics by Stan Daniels; directed by Stuart Ross. Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Carl Reiner, the musical tells the story of an errand boy from the Bronx who makes a delivery to the Big City with dreams of making it on the Great White Way. He encounters the madcap eccentrics that inhabit that world in this hilarious and tuneful adaptation of the hit play.

"From the first listen and read, this was a no brainer, a real hoot," says Davis. "It's a great opportunity for us to participate in the development of a musical that is Broadway bound."

"We look forward to collaborating with producer Dan Whitten on this production," adds Christopher.

Playwright Joseph Stein was best known for writing the books for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, which won two Tony Awards. Stein later wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation. Additional credits include ZORBA, ALIVE AND KICKING, MR. WONDERFUL, THE BODY BEAUTIFUL, JUNO, TAKE ME ALONG, IRENE, CARMELINA, THE BAKER'S WIFE, RAGS, ENTER LAUGHING and the musical adaptation of SO LONG, 174Th STREET. He co-wrote the screenplay with Carl Reiner for the film adaptation of ENTER LAUGHING.

Stan Daniels wrote the music and lyrics for ENTER LAUGHING: THE MUSICAL. His Broadway credits include his performance in the original cast of SO LONG, 174TH STREET. Daniels won eight Emmys for his television work on the "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Taxi." Other television credits include: "The Kid," "The Substitute Wife," "Glory! Glory!" (HBO), "The Betty White Show," Phyllis," "The Tonight Show," and more. He started his career as a writer for "The Dean Martin Show."

Director Stuart Ross's Broadway credits include STARMITES, which was nominated for three Tony Awards. He wrote STARMITES along with Barry Keating. New York Playwright/Director credits include: FOREVER PLAID, NOT-SO-NEW FACES, FUN WITH DICK AND JANE. Other New York staging credits include: THE LUNCH GIRLS, SECRETS OF THE LAVA LAMP, CREEPS, NASTY LITTLE SECRETS, CONRACK, WHERE SHE STOPS NOBODY KNOWS and THE KNIGHT OF THE TWELVE SAUCERS.
ENTER LAUGHING: THE MUSICAL begins previews August 9, with opening night on August 13, with the final performance on September 4, 2011.

The 2011 Mainstage Season 3-play subscriptions and single tickets are now on sale and may be purchased by calling the Box Office, which is currently open Wed. - Sat. 11 am - 5 pm at 631-725-9500. Single tickets may also be purchased online at www.baystreet.org.

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.

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