DAMES AT SEA Sets Sail At Bay Street 8/11, Opens 8/15

What happens when the stock market crashes, the country is in financial turmoil, and a plucky theatre company is trying to stay alive? No, this is not the story of Bay Street Theatre in 2009, but rather the backdrop for Bay Street's summer musical delight, Dames At Sea. With book and lyrics by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller and music by Jim Wise, Dames At Sea is a rollicking valentine to the campy musicals of Hollywood in the 1930s and is sure to be fun for the whole family.

The multi-talented Ray Roderick will direct this light-hearted musical, filled with great tap-dancing and vocal delights. Mr. Roderick has many credits under his belt, including directing the national tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and creating the new script adaptation for the US and UK tours. The Musical Direction is under the fine hand of Rick Hip-Flores, who recently played in the orchestras of Billy Elliot, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and Spelling Bee. Shea Sullivan, a New York based film, television, and theatre choreographer (The Big Gay Musical, Pageant, Frog & the Witch), will choreograph this production.

Mr. Roderick will oversee a talented team of actors, including Xavier Cano as Dick (Grease, West Side Story, Altar Boyz), Joyce Chittick as Joan (Pajama Game, Sweet Charity, Wonderful Town), Stuart Marland as Hennesey and The Captain (Xanadu, Beauty and the Beast, Jekyll & Hyde), Kristen Martin as Ruby (42nd Street, CATS, Beauty and the Beast), Laurie Wells as Mona Kent (42nd Street, Mamma Mia!, Swing!), and Patrick Wetzel as Lucky (The Drowsy Chaperone, Thou Shalt Not, Annie Get Your Gun).

The professional talent on stage will be backed by equal caliber off stage. The production team includes Howard Jones as Set Designer (North Shore Music Theatre, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Missouri Repertory Theatre), David Lawrence as Costume Designer (A Catered Affair, Rock'N'Roll, Coram Boy), Charlie Morrison as Lighting Designer (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Aida, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Tony Melfa as Sound Designer (Japes, Nobody Don't Like Yogi, Simeon's Gift), Kathy Fabian as Props Designer (Waiting for Godot, South Pacific, Pal Joey), Chris Clark as Production Stage Manager (Bell, Book and Candle, Ain't Misbehavin', The Lady in Question), and Cindy Tolan as Casting Director (All My Sons, Xanadu, Avenue Q).

Dames at Sea previews Tuesday, August 11 through Friday, August 14th, with opening night Saturday, August 15th. 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. In addition there will be a Talkback with the actors following the performance on Tuesday, August 18th.

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.