BIG MISS MAYBELLE - A BIG HIT!

The World Premiere with Lillias White in “Big Maybelle: Soul of the Blues” had its smash opening night Saturday, Aug. 11 at Bay Street Theatre.

Tony award winner Lillias White stars as legendary blues singer Maybelle Smith; written and directed by Paul Levine. Michael Mitchell is the Musical Director; Orchestrations are by Musical Supervisor Kenny Seymour.

The preview week performances had double standing ovations each night. On Friday, Aug. 10, Barry Manilow and Lorna Luft came to see the show and greeted Lillias White after the performance. The opening night on Saturday, Aug. 11 also received a double standing ovation.

The designers for this show are John Arnone (Set Design), Emilio Sosa (Costume Design), Paul Miller (Light Design), Tony Melfa (Sound Design), Brian Meister (Production Stage Manager), Joe Lauro (Archival Footage from Historic Films), Michael Clark (Projection Design), and Kathy Fabian (Properties Design).

The band includes Eric Brown (Drums), Kiku Collins (Trumpet), George Farmer (Bass), Jason Marshall (Saxaphone) and John Putnam (Guitar). Eric Brown and Kiku Collins are also featured in the roles of Sully and Loretta.

The show runs now through Sunday, Sept. 2. Showtimes are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. with Wednesday matinees on Aug. 22, and 29 at 2 p.m. and a 4 p.m. matinee on Saturdays Aug. 18 and 25. Sunday showtime is at 7 p.m. Tickets to this spectacular event are $66-76.

Show stopper Lillias White and Director Paul Levine.

Bay Street Theatre Executive Director Tracy Mitchell, Directory Paul Levine, performers Barry Manilow, Lillias White, Bay Street Theatre Artistic Director Murphy Davis and Lorna Luft. Photos by Barry Gordin

TONY AWARD WINNER LILLIAS WHITE IS MAYBELLE SMITH IN BAY STREET THEATRE’S WORLD PREMIERE OF "BIG MAYBELLE: SOUL OF THE BLUES"

August 6, 2012 (Sag Harbor, NY) – Bay Street Theatre, Martin Richards and The Gilead Company present the World Premiere musical BIG MAYBELLE: SOUL OF THE BLUES with Tony award winner Lillias White starring as legendary blues singer Maybelle Smith; written and directed by Paul Levine. Michael Mitchell is the Musical Director; Orchestrations are by Musical Supervisor Kenny Seymour.

The show runs Tuesday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Sept. 2. Showtimes are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. with Wednesday matinees on Aug. 15, 22, and 29 at 2 p.m. and a 4 p.m. matinee on Saturdays Aug. 18 and 25. Sunday showtime is at 7 p.m. Tickets to this spectacular event are $66 - 76. Previews Aug.7 thru Aug. 10 are sponsored by PCH Builders and Property Management. The week of Aug. 12 to Aug. 18 is sponsored by Peconic Landing.

BIG MAYBELLE: SOUL OF THE BLUES features the sensational Tony award winning Lillias White as the legendary blues singer Maybelle Smith. A big woman with even bigger talent, she took on all the challenges that 1950's America had to give.

Paul Levine (writer/director) won Best Director and Production of the Year awards from Daily Variety, Drama-logue Award and the L.A. Weekly, and a Best Director nomination from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle for his L.A. premiere production of Lanford Wilson’s BALM IN GILEAD. He won awards for Best Musical and Production of the Year awards from Daily Variety, Drama-logue and the L.A. Weekly for his production of TARZANA TANZI in association with the Nederlander Organization, and also co-wrote the music.

He has directed many films and is currently in pre-production on “The Miracle,” starring James Earl Jones. Paul grew up in Stony Brook, NY. He received a BA in History from Colgate University and a combined communications scholarship to UCLA/USC after studying history at the University of London, England. Paul’s theatrical training was at the Royal Shakespeare Company in London; with Stella Adler at the Stella Adler Conservatory in New York; with Harold Clurman in his last New York Master Class; and with Jose Quintero in Los Angeles.

Lillias White (Maybelle Smith) won the 1997 Tony, Drama Desk, People’s Choice and The Outer Critics Awards for her portrayal of a hooker in THE LIFE and she received a Tony nomination for her role in FELA!. She understudied the role of Effie in the original 1981 production of DREAMGIRLS and later played the part in the 1987 revival. Other Broadway credits include: CHICAGO, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, CARRIE, ROCK ‘N ROLL! THE FIRST 5,000 YEARS, CATS and BARNUM.

The designers for this show are John Arnone (Set Design), Emilio Sosa (Costume Design), Paul Miller (Light Design), Tony Melfa (Sound Design), Brian Meister (Production Stage Manager), Joe Lauro (Archival Footage from Historic Films), Michael Clark (Projection Design), and Kathy Fabian (Properties Design).

The band includes Eric Brown (Drums), Kiku Collins (Trumpet), George Farmer (Bass), Jason Marshall (Saxaphone) and John Putnam (Guitar). Eric Brown and Kiku Collins are also featured in the roles of ‘Sully’ and ‘Loretta.

The 2012 Mainstage Season program is partially funded by the Suffolk County Executive’s Office and Suffolk County National Bank. Tickets are available online at www.baystreet.org or by calling the Box Office at 631-725-9500. The Box Office is open every day, 11 am –showtime.

The “Pay What You Can” performance will be Tuesday, August 7, with a limited number of tickets available after 2 pm at the Box Office only. “Pay What You Can” tickets are based on availability. Hospitality Workers Nights are for any worker in the restaurants, hotels, and retail businesses on Wednesday, August 8 and Thursday, August 9; tickets are $20 with proof of employment; based on availability at the Box Office only. Two for one tickets are available at the Box Office only on performance days after 2 pm; based on availability.

BAY STREET THEATRE’S ROCK THE DOCK — A SUMMER BENEFIT BASH

Bay Street Theatre showed the Hamptons a fantastic party last Saturday, July 21, 2012 at its annual Rock The Dock Summer Benefit Bash. The evening kicked off with a cocktail hour and silent auction, while guests arrived dressed to party on the Long Wharf in Sag Harbor.

Special guests included Bay Street Board Members Chris Bauer (True Blood) and Broadway, film and television actress Mercedes Ruehl; Tony award winner and star of the upcoming BIG MAYBELLE: SOUL OF THE BLUES Lillias White, and the show’s writer and director Paul Levine; legendary actors Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson and their daughter xxx Wallach; Aida Turturro (The Sopranos); playwright of Bay Street’s current running play MEN’S LIVE Joe Pintauro; Robert Zimmerman; Lorraine Boyle; Stephen Flaherty and many more of the Hamptons’ best. The waterfront benefit is held annually, and it is the theatre’s biggest fundraiser of the year!

After the cocktail hour, Artistic Director Murphy Davis was the master of ceremonies. The night started off with a special thanks to Frank Filipo, Bay Street’s Board Chairman, for being, as Davis describes as “ Bay Street’s most gracious supporter and biggest cheerleader” throughout the years. Chris Bauer also came to the stage and said “You have picked a winner if you’re supporting Bay Street Theatre. Thank you for your money, support, and applause.”

Guests were asked to compete in groups at their tables donating to the theatre’s Literature Live fund. The Summer Benefit Bash supports Literature Live, kids’ camps, college internships, and other educational programs that keep Bay Street as a cultural gem in Sag Harbor.

Immediately following, Tony award winner Lillias White brought down the house, as she performed three songs including “Candy” as a teaser to the one woman show BIG MAYBELLE: SOUL OF THE BLUES. Bay Street and their audience were also happy to present Ms. White with the “Happy Birthday” song and a birthday cake, as the event coincided with Ms. White’s birthday. Davis also officiated over an exciting live auction as guests bid on everything from a walk on role in the theatre’s 2012 season closer BIG MAYBELLE: SOUL OF THE BLUES, a luxurious St. Bart’s vacation provided by Wimco Villas, VIP Yankees tickets, golf with Richard Kind at The Bridge and the East Hampton Country Club, incredible getaways to New York City, Miami, New Orleans and the Dominican Republic, catered cocktail party for 25, and a stay at the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo!

Afterwards the winners of the live auction received complimentary champagne from the theater to celebrate their win. Guests feasted on a delicious tapas styled dinner under the tent on the water. Soon, everyone took to the dance floor to dance with the Hamptons’ hottest DJ Andrea Shapiro! The night was full of energy and high spirited!

The raffle drawing took place for the choice of either the 2012 Mini Cooper Convertible or $18,000 in cash. The winner was drawn by Jay Decker from BMW Southampton, also the provider of the car. The winner was Denise DeAngelo of Baiting Hollow, NY. She was not present to win.

Gift bags included items from L’Oreal, Colgate/Palmolive, Dirty Blonde Cocktails, and Bai by Snapple among others gifts. The ALL NEW after party at B. Smith’s immediately followed, so that guests could keep the party going.. The dancing continued and guests celebrated raising money for their local non profit!

Bay Street Theatre’s Summer Benefit would not have been possible without its fabulous sponsors this year that included: Bai Brands, BMW Southampton, The Bridge, Bridgehampton Florist, Channing Daughters Winery, Dan’s Papers, Diplomatico Rum, Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papgayo, Fresco by Scotto, Party Rentals Ltd, PCH Builders and Property Management, Peconic Landing, Searles Graphics, Soho Grand Hotel, Southampton Publick House, Sterling Affair Caterers, Suffolk County National Bank, The Today Show and Wimco Villas. The silent auction was sponsored by over 75 local shops and restaurants. Interested sponsors for next year should contact the Development Office at 631-725-0818.