October 25, 2011 (Sag Harbor, NY) – As a follow up to recent articles, Bay Street Theatre confirms that it is looking for a new home in Sag Harbor. Contrary to some headlines, the theatre is not closing its doors. The theatre will celebrate its 21st season in 2012 in its current location on the Long Wharf in Sag Harbor. The lease is up in May, 2013, so the 22nd season will take place at a new or temporary facility.
“The long term goal,” says Murphy Davis who is one of the Artistic Directors for Bay Street Theatre, “is to find or create a permanent home. It is a major expense each year to rent the current space, the Riverhead shop where we build the sets and the rent for our actors and production crew each summer. The combined total is going to be up to $500,000 a year just in rents.”
Artistic Director Sybil Christopher conferred, adding, “There isn’t a not for profit theatre anywhere that can sustain that kind of financial impact each year.”
“This is part of a natural progression. Bay Street has proven itself for 20 years, and now it must find a permanent home. It is the only way to develop a strong and healthy business which people will want to invest in; both now and for years to come,” Executive Director Tracy Mitchell explained. “Unfortunately, the ramification of not having a permanent location spills over and makes it nearly impossible to receive grants and other funding. People want to know you’re going to be around and that’s exactly what we’re going to do by developing a permanent home.”
Supporting Bay Street also supports the local community in very tangible ways. The Bay Street staff and their theater-goers bring business to Sag Harbor and other local villages for restaurants, shops and bars. And Bay Street keeps much of their spending local--they contribute to the local economy by renting 10 to 12 homes for interns, cast and production crews as well as taking rooms at local hotels. Bay Street purchases nearly everything here from supplies at the hardware store to food at Schiavoni’s, from meals at the Corner Bar, Dockside, and American Hotel to knick-knacks at the Variety store.
Bay Street is a year-round presence on the East End, offering everything from live theatre to comedy, from live music to The Picture Show, serving up classic films from September to May. Bay Street’s educational outreach initiatives include a 20 student College Internship program, musical theater camps for kids, and the already popular LITERATURE LIVE production, now in its third year. This year’s selection TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD runs from November 7-26 and includes local talent such as Lily Spellman, Susan Galardi and her son Hudson among others. So far over 1,500 students from local and regional schools are booked to attend. Tickets are $10 for kids and $20 for adults. The show is recommended for ages 13 and up.
In addition to being a professional theatre, Bay Street expanded its role to include community center-type needs as requested by year-around residents-- a space for local musicians, forums, rental space for film festivals, seminars, and benefits. Last year alone, their latest program BENEFITS BY BAYSTREET held successful fund raisers and raised thousands for Hurricane victims in Haiti and Earthquake victims in Japan. AND for many years Santa arrived for pictures and such at Bay Street’s for a magical afternoon filled with beautifully decorated trees, photos with Santa, carol singing, old fashioned film classics and hot cocoa and treats. This year, Santa will have to find another place to land. “We just don’t have a way of providing a day like that for free any longer,” said Mitchell. The Sag Harbor Chamber was notified and currently appears to be unable to fund his visit as well.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Joy Behar Heads Up Annual Appeal
Following on the heels of a successful Mainstage season, Bay Street Theatre has embarked on an ambitious Annual Appeal seeking to raise $375,000. Chaired by TV personality Joy Behar, host of her own nightly show on Headline News and of ABC’s “The View,” the campaign will make it possible for Bay Street to continue its mission to provide artistic, cultural and educational programming for the burgeoning year-round population on the East End .
Ms. Behar, a long-time supporter and recently appointed member of Bay Street’s Board of Trustees, commented she is “honored to serve as the Chair of this year’s Fund Raising Campaign. When I started coming out to The Hamptons, I wanted to live near Sag Harbor because Bay Street was there. The area is lucky to have a place where live performances thrive year-round. I think I’d have to move if it weren’t permanently fixed in the ‘nabe’.
According to Tracy Mitchell, Bay Street’s Executive Director, the campaign is more critical than ever. “Despite the great successes of this year’s Main Stage productions, ticket sales still account for just 48 percent of the operative costs the theater pays to survive. With costs rising and the economy struggling, individual contributions are more important than ever. Every donation makes a difference, no matter how large or small.”
The theater’s summer season saw critical successes and great audience reaction to its roster of shows. From season opener TRU, to its controversial BETTY’S SUMMER VACATION, to the highly successful production of ENTER LAUGHING, THE MUSICAL, Bay Street hosted 25,000 residents and visitors this year.
The season was not without its share of offstage drama -- A serious car accident involving TRU star, Darrell Hammond, caused the cancellation of the final two performances which resulted in a revenue loss of more than $25,000. When Hurricane Irene hit, ENTER LAUGHING, the theater’s biggest hit, had to be cancelled for 3 performances — totaling a loss of over $70,000 in tickets sales alone. So the theater’s Annual Campaign takes on added significance heading into this Fall.
“Literature Live” which brings curriculum-based literature to life on stage for local and regional school children as well as the general public is short funding. “We plan on presenting “To Kill a Mockingbird” from November 4th through 26th if we can meet our fundraising goals” says Mitchell.
"Literature Live” is presented to schools during the week and on three weekends, including Thanksgiving Weekend for the general public, with ticket prices pegged at $10 for students and teachers and $20 for adults. “We keep the ticket price low so schools can afford to come and see the show” says Bay Street’s Artistic Director, Murphy Davis. “It is so rewarding to watch the reaction of kids experiencing what may be their first exposure to live theater.” The theater is a year-round presence on the East End, offering everything from the Comedy Club with its A-list headliners to The Picture Show which serves up classic films from September to May. Bay Street’s educational outreach initiatives include a 20 student College Internship program and a musical theater camp for kids during school vacations.
As Mitchell points out, supporting Bay Street also supports the local community in very tangible ways. “Our theater-goers bring business to Sag Harbor restaurants, shops and bars. And the Theater contributes to the local economy by renting 10 to 12 homes for interns, cast and production crews as well as taking rooms at local hotels. We also purchase everything here from supplies at the hardware store to food at Schiavoni’s, Corner Bar and other supplies.”
A true community center, the theater also serves as a space for local musicians, forums, rental space for film festivals and seminars and for many years has served as the place Santa visits in Sag Harbor. Last year alone, their latest program “Benefits by Bay Street,” has held successful fund raisers for Hurricane victims in Haiti and Earthquake victims in Japan. Tax deductible contributions can help ensure that Bay Street remains, as CBS Sunday Morning reported “one of the country’s pre-eminent regional theaters”. These contributions are essential to the theater’s mission to “entertain, inspire and enhance the cultural arts for the East End and beyond”. Donations can be made by calling the Development Office at 631-725-0818 or by sending a check to Bay Street Theater, PO Box 810, Sag Harbor NY 11963.
Ms. Behar, a long-time supporter and recently appointed member of Bay Street’s Board of Trustees, commented she is “honored to serve as the Chair of this year’s Fund Raising Campaign. When I started coming out to The Hamptons, I wanted to live near Sag Harbor because Bay Street was there. The area is lucky to have a place where live performances thrive year-round. I think I’d have to move if it weren’t permanently fixed in the ‘nabe’.
According to Tracy Mitchell, Bay Street’s Executive Director, the campaign is more critical than ever. “Despite the great successes of this year’s Main Stage productions, ticket sales still account for just 48 percent of the operative costs the theater pays to survive. With costs rising and the economy struggling, individual contributions are more important than ever. Every donation makes a difference, no matter how large or small.”
The theater’s summer season saw critical successes and great audience reaction to its roster of shows. From season opener TRU, to its controversial BETTY’S SUMMER VACATION, to the highly successful production of ENTER LAUGHING, THE MUSICAL, Bay Street hosted 25,000 residents and visitors this year.
The season was not without its share of offstage drama -- A serious car accident involving TRU star, Darrell Hammond, caused the cancellation of the final two performances which resulted in a revenue loss of more than $25,000. When Hurricane Irene hit, ENTER LAUGHING, the theater’s biggest hit, had to be cancelled for 3 performances — totaling a loss of over $70,000 in tickets sales alone. So the theater’s Annual Campaign takes on added significance heading into this Fall.
“Literature Live” which brings curriculum-based literature to life on stage for local and regional school children as well as the general public is short funding. “We plan on presenting “To Kill a Mockingbird” from November 4th through 26th if we can meet our fundraising goals” says Mitchell.
"Literature Live” is presented to schools during the week and on three weekends, including Thanksgiving Weekend for the general public, with ticket prices pegged at $10 for students and teachers and $20 for adults. “We keep the ticket price low so schools can afford to come and see the show” says Bay Street’s Artistic Director, Murphy Davis. “It is so rewarding to watch the reaction of kids experiencing what may be their first exposure to live theater.” The theater is a year-round presence on the East End, offering everything from the Comedy Club with its A-list headliners to The Picture Show which serves up classic films from September to May. Bay Street’s educational outreach initiatives include a 20 student College Internship program and a musical theater camp for kids during school vacations.
As Mitchell points out, supporting Bay Street also supports the local community in very tangible ways. “Our theater-goers bring business to Sag Harbor restaurants, shops and bars. And the Theater contributes to the local economy by renting 10 to 12 homes for interns, cast and production crews as well as taking rooms at local hotels. We also purchase everything here from supplies at the hardware store to food at Schiavoni’s, Corner Bar and other supplies.”
A true community center, the theater also serves as a space for local musicians, forums, rental space for film festivals and seminars and for many years has served as the place Santa visits in Sag Harbor. Last year alone, their latest program “Benefits by Bay Street,” has held successful fund raisers for Hurricane victims in Haiti and Earthquake victims in Japan. Tax deductible contributions can help ensure that Bay Street remains, as CBS Sunday Morning reported “one of the country’s pre-eminent regional theaters”. These contributions are essential to the theater’s mission to “entertain, inspire and enhance the cultural arts for the East End and beyond”. Donations can be made by calling the Development Office at 631-725-0818 or by sending a check to Bay Street Theater, PO Box 810, Sag Harbor NY 11963.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Auditions For Literature Live Production of 'To Kill A Mockingbird' Set
Bay Street Theatre is getting ready for the LITERATURE LIVE production of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD to be staged Nov. 7 to Nov. 26. Local equity and non-equity actors are encouraged to audition.
The production is adapted from the book by Harper Lee and will be directed by our own Artistic Director Murphy Davis.
Equity Principal Auditions: will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Bay Street Theatre, located at the corner of Bay and Main Streets in Sag Harbor. No appointment is necessary. The producer will run all aspects of this call.
Equity Principal Auditions will also be held on Tuesday, October 11 at the Actors’ Equity Association Audition Center from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. located at 165 West 46th Street on the 2nd Floor. Sides will be provided at the audition. Please bring a picture and resume, stapled back-to-back.
Seeking all roles are available unless otherwise specified:
Jeremy Finch (Jem): Age 12. Scout’s older brother.
Calpurnia: African American, 35-50. The housekeeper. Proud and capable. Standards are high. Self-educated. Raised the motherless Scout and Jem.
Miss Maudie Atkinson: 40s-60. A neighbor. Sensitive, wise and compassionate.
Charles Baker Harris (Dill): 8-12. Small. Wise beyond his years.
Heck Tate: 30-50. The sheriff.
Mayella Ewell: 19-25. Lonely and overworked woman.
Mr. Gilmer: Prosecuting Attorney. Age 40-70.
Walter Cunningham / Judge Taylor/Boo Radley: 40-60. Three roles for one actor.
Tom Robinson: African American, 23-27. Handsome, vital. His left hand is disabled.
Bob Ewell: Age 40-50.
Jean Louise Finch (Scout) and Atticus Finch are CAST.
Auditioning performers will be considered as possible (emergency) replacements, should any become necessary. Girl, 9-12 years old. Atticus Finch is nearly 50. Scout and Jem’s father. Quietly impressive. Reserved. Civilized.
Notes: No phone calls in advance. No advanced appointment necessary. A sign up sheet will be posted at the theatre on the day of the audition. Sides for those wishing to audition will available at the Bay Street Theatre Box Office during normal hours of operation beginning Oct. 5.
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.
The production is adapted from the book by Harper Lee and will be directed by our own Artistic Director Murphy Davis.
Equity Principal Auditions: will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Bay Street Theatre, located at the corner of Bay and Main Streets in Sag Harbor. No appointment is necessary. The producer will run all aspects of this call.
Equity Principal Auditions will also be held on Tuesday, October 11 at the Actors’ Equity Association Audition Center from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. located at 165 West 46th Street on the 2nd Floor. Sides will be provided at the audition. Please bring a picture and resume, stapled back-to-back.
Seeking all roles are available unless otherwise specified:
Jeremy Finch (Jem): Age 12. Scout’s older brother.
Calpurnia: African American, 35-50. The housekeeper. Proud and capable. Standards are high. Self-educated. Raised the motherless Scout and Jem.
Miss Maudie Atkinson: 40s-60. A neighbor. Sensitive, wise and compassionate.
Charles Baker Harris (Dill): 8-12. Small. Wise beyond his years.
Heck Tate: 30-50. The sheriff.
Mayella Ewell: 19-25. Lonely and overworked woman.
Mr. Gilmer: Prosecuting Attorney. Age 40-70.
Walter Cunningham / Judge Taylor/Boo Radley: 40-60. Three roles for one actor.
Tom Robinson: African American, 23-27. Handsome, vital. His left hand is disabled.
Bob Ewell: Age 40-50.
Jean Louise Finch (Scout) and Atticus Finch are CAST.
Auditioning performers will be considered as possible (emergency) replacements, should any become necessary. Girl, 9-12 years old. Atticus Finch is nearly 50. Scout and Jem’s father. Quietly impressive. Reserved. Civilized.
Notes: No phone calls in advance. No advanced appointment necessary. A sign up sheet will be posted at the theatre on the day of the audition. Sides for those wishing to audition will available at the Bay Street Theatre Box Office during normal hours of operation beginning Oct. 5.
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.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Four Join Bay Street's Board Of Trustees
August 23, 2011 (Sag Harbor, NY) – Bay Street Theatre announces four new members to the Board of Trustees: Erik Batt, Joy Behar, Mariann Florio, and Jane Holden.
To add the additional talent and integrity of these four new board members, Artistic Directors Sybil Christopher and Murphy Davis, report “is a terrific privilege and a great help to our theatre!”
“We are thrilled to welcome our new board members," Executive Director Tracy Mitchell explained. “We are so fortunate to have them add their expertise and commitment to Bay Street.”
A public relations professional with an illustrious career in the entertainment industry, Erik Batt's publicity work includes in-house stints at HBO and recently as the Director of Publicity for IFC. Career highlights include TV campaigns for HBO’s “Sex in the City,” “The Laramie Project,” “Angels in America,” and an award-winning PR campaign for the IFC documentary, “Monty Python: Almost the Truth,” and the historic Python 40th anniversary reunion. Prior to his career in TV, Batt worked for Henderson and Hogan, a talent agency with a strong focus on theater.
Batt is currently active as an Ambassador for The Miracle Foundation, a charity dedicated to empowering orphans. He and his partner lived in East Hampton for 13 years before becoming proud residents of Sag Harbor. Like the waterfront itself, Batt believes Bay Street is the heart and soul of Sag Harbor village.
Daytime Emmy® Award-winner Joy Behar is the host of “The Joy Behar Show” on HLN which features newsworthy guests and examines today’s water cooler issues, from pop culture to politics and everything in between. One of the celebrated hosts for ABC’s “The View,” and a leading comic talent in her own right, Behar is the 2011 Campaign Chair for the Annual Appeal fundraising drive.
Mariann Florio has spent years of service as a volunteer. As past President of the Junior League of Long Island, she lobbied for Children’s and Women’s rights. She was also active in Habitat for Humanity as well as One in Nine, where she was honored for her work in lobbying for a survey to help find the hot spots for breast cancer on Long Island. For 13 years Florio worked with Involvement Theatre, a program for children with disabilities across Long Island.
Her vast community support includes work with New Kids on the Block program; CAPS (Child Preventative Services), which was honored by the State of New York; North Shore Child and Family Guidance; American Red Cross; and she Co-chaired the Fresh Air Fund Gala for five years with Tommy Hilfiger and her husband, the late Steven T. Florio, past president and CEO of Conde Nast Publications.
Jane Holden is a Senior Director at Brown Harris Stevens and was the 2010 Broker of the Year for the Sag Harbor Office. She is a lifelong resident of Sag Harbor and active community member. She has been a successful real estate agent since 1982 and credits that success to being such an integral part of the fabric of Sag Harbor. Holden’s years in real estate have given her an extensive breadth of knowledge of the nuances and intricacies of Sag Harbor, as well as its outlying hamlets. Throughout her extensive real estate career, Holden has received the accolade of Top Producing Agent numerous times - an award well earned, well honored and much deserved for her work ethic and dedication. Holden has been a long time supporter of Bay Street, and served as this year’s Chairperson of the Patron’s Committee.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Show Inspired By Carl Reiner's Youth
Richard Kind (standing); Left to right: Erick Devine, Josh Grisetti and Kate Shindle
ENTER LAUGHING, The Musical, the hilarious production, begins previews on August 9. The tuneful show is based on the early life of Carl Reiner. Running through September 4, The show features a book by the legendary Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof, Zorba), music and lyrics by Stan Daniels (“The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Taxi”).
Saturday, August 6, 2011
You'll Want To ENTER LAUGHING...
Rehearsal photos by Barry Gordin (theaterlife.com)
The Bay Street Theatre production will also feature Gina Milo, Erick Devine, Eric Mann, Paul Binotto, Gerry McIntyre, Betsy DiLello, Emily Shoolin, Ray DeMattis and Phil Reno. The production features scenic design by James Morgan (Molly Sweeney), costumed design by David Toser (Oh Coward!), lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington (Chicago), and sound design by Tony Melfa (Talley’s Folly).
After the initial limited Off-Broadway production returned to The York for a second limited engagement, producer Dan Whitten announced that he will bring the show to Broadway. The production plays at Bay Street Theatre before continuing on its journey to Broadway.
Joseph Stein first adapted Reiner’s novel in 1964 when it enjoyed a successful Broadway run starring Alan Arkin. The musical adaptation was originally presented on Broadway in 1976 starring Robert Morse with the title So Long 174th Street.
“I started laughing one minute after the curtain went up on Enter Laughing, The Musical, and continued laughing for hours after the curtain came down,” says Carl Reiner. “I deeply appreciate the creative talent who succeeded in immortalizing my youth.”
“Working with Carl Reiner and Joe Stein has been a wonderful and humbling experience,” says producer Dan Whitten, “I’m very grateful that two men of their legendary talents can be so human, approachable and supportive.”
Tickets for ENTER LAUGHING, The Musical are available by calling the Bay Street Theatre Box Office at 631-725-9500 or log on to www.baystreet.org. Performances are Tuesday - Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. with matinees Wednesdays at 2 pm. (8/17, 8/24, 8/31) and Saturdays at 4 p.m. (8/20, 8/27).
Tickets are $65 – $75. The first preview performance is set for Aug.9 and available as “Pay What You Can,” at the Box Office after 2 p.m.
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