Bay Street Theater Calls Out For Community Support

If you think standing room only audiences make Bay Street Theatre a success, think again. Bay Street is proud of its critically acclaimed theatrical productions, award-winning education programs, classic film nights, music and comedy nights; however, its future and lifeline are now in the hands of the East End community. Like every other non-profit, performing arts or cultural institution, the economy has taken a severe toll on Bay Street's corporate sponsors, government support and annual fund raising activities this year.

Bay Street is now looking to the public for help. They have made an appeal-both to the artistic community and the community at large-with Alan Alda, Joy Behar, and Lewis Black stepping up to the plate. As personal friends of the Artistic Directors, Sybil Christopher and Murphy Davis, all of these incredible artists have agreed to appear at Bay Street in order to show their support. Alan Alda and Joy Behar will perform Columbus Day Weekend on Saturday, October 10th at 8pm. Tickets are $100, with a limited number of premium tickets available for $150, which includes a reception with the stars. Lewis Black will perform Wednesday, October 14th at 8pm. Tickets for this evening are $100. All tickets are available by calling the box office at 631-725-9500, open daily at 11am.

Many people may not realize that Bay Street's contribution to Eastern Long Island extends well beyond simply providing top name entertainment. It's also in the jobs they generate and the economic contribution they make to the community. For eighteen years they have risen to the needs of the community by answering ‘yes' to nearly every request made of them-as a gathering spot for the community, as a provider of educational programs for school children both during school hours, as well as, during school vacation breaks, supporting fundraisers through ticket donations to other organizations, as a place to celebrate as a community or to assist other groups such as the local fire department and food pantries-they do it all. The Bay Street Theatre is even the home for Santa every year. Most of this is at no charge, at cost, or even at the theatre's own expense.

In their 18 years they have tried hard to be a good friend and neighbor, and have consciously avoided inundating the public with financial appeals. However, if they are to keep the doors open and continue their tradition of performing arts excellence and supporting Eastern Long Island, they need the community's help.

While tickets to Alan Alda, Joy Behar and Lewis Black may sell out, donations of any size are also needed, and can be made by calling the theatre's administrative offices at 631-725-0818, or online at www.baystreet.org, or by sending a check made payable to Bay Street Theatre, PO Box 810, Sag Harbor, NY 11963, or by visiting them on the Long Wharf in Sag Harbor, New York.

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.

 

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