Bay Street Theatre Announces 2012 Mainstage Season: MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE, MEN’S LIVES and More

Bay Street Theatre is celebrating its 21st season and has announced the 2012 Mainstage productions. 

The American Premiere of MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE (May 29-June 24), was written by Geraldine Aron and will be directed by Matt McGrath, one of Bay Street’s Artistic Associates. The one-woman show tells the story of American ex-pat Angela whose irritatingly round-headed British husband takes off. She's left to cope with a disapproving mother, a shifty attorney and a bad case of hypochondria. Poignant, insightful...and very, very funny. A real treat from across the pond! Previews May 29-31 sponsored by Peconic Landing.

Geraldine Aron (playwright) was born in Ireland and spent her adult life in Zimbabwe and South Africa. She now divides her time between Cape Town and London. She wrote several award winning plays for Ireland's Druid Theatre Company, including BAR & GER, A GALWAY GIRL, SAME OLD MOON, THE DONAHUE SISTERS, THE STANLEY PARKERS and MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE. Geraldine is also the author of twelve produced television and radio plays and two screenplays.

Matt McGrath (director) most recently appeared in NEXT FALL at the Diversionary Theater in San Diego. Prior that he stepped into the role of Frank' N Furter in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at The Old Globe Theater. McGrath, last season, directed Darrell Hammond in TRU. Bay Street audiences may remember his performances in JAPES, THE LADY IN QUESTION, BEYOND THERAPY and ROMANCE. He was the recipient of the Bienecke Fellowship from the Yale School of Drama in 2007 and also received an Honorary Masters Degree from The American Conservatory Theater. His work performing in THE BLACK RIDER by Tom Waits and William S. Burroughs in London, San Francisco and Sydney, dir. Robert Wilson, earned him a Helpmann Award nomination. Broadway credits include: CABERET (Emcee) dir. by Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall and also A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. Off Broadway: HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, DISTANT FIRES (L.A. Weekly Award), A FAIR COUNTRY, GRACELAND, AMULETS AGAINST THE DRAGON FORCES and DALTON’S BACK (Drama Desk Nom.) Film credits include: “Full Gown Men” (Tribeca Film Festival '06), “Boys Don’t Cry,” “The Notorious Bettie Page,” (both by Killer Films), “The Anniversary Party,” and “The Broken Hearts Club.”

The 20 Year Revival of MEN’S LIVES (July 3-29), was written by Joe Pintauro and was based on the book of the same name by Peter Matthiessen. Harris Yulin will direct. As Sir Walter Scott once said, “It’s not fish ye’re buying, it’s men’s lives.” This play was the inaugural production presented on stage at Bay Street Theatre in 1992. Now it is being given a much anticipated revival for the 2012 Season.

“We thought this year was a great time to revive this wonderful play,” says Murphy Davis, Artistic Director. “Not only does it have a timeless message about change and the human condition, it is as pertinent today as it was 20 years ago and still means as much to people who live and visit here.”

Sag Harbor playwright Joe Pintauro emphasizes, “War was declared on the beaches of the East End when local Bay Men were forced to launch a courageous fight against the crushing effect of history and economics on their lives in the Hamptons.”

“MEN’S LIVES is really something special,” says Davis. “If you were here and saw our original production, come back…if you have never seen it, don’t miss it!”

Joe Pintauro’s (playwright) credits include SNOW ORCHID, a 1980 selection of the Eugene O'Neill conference (Circle Rep, London Gate). BESIDE HERSELF (Circle Rep) MEN'S LIVES (Bay Street Theatre 1990, 1991, 2012), BY THE SEA, collaboration with Terrence McNally and Lanford Wilson (Bay Street, Manhattan Theatre Club). SALVATION (London's Gate), CACCIATORE (Hudson Guild), RAFT OF THE MEDUSA (Minetta Lane, revival at The Cherry Lane Theatre), directed by Francisco Solorzano. Others include THE DEAD BOY and CATHEDRAL. His plays have been produced in many languages, including METROPOLITAN OPERAS 27 SHORT PLAYS, MOVING TARGETS, WILD BLUE, PERRY ST. ON THE WING, RULES OF LOVE (Charles Nelson Reilly Theatre Company) and AMERICAN DIVINE. Novels include State of Grace and Cold Hands (New York Times selection; best novels of the year.) He is the recipient of the John Steinbeck literary humanitarian award and the Life Time Achievement award at Guild Hall. Pintauro is busy working on a book of his photographs, a novel and full length play.

Harris Yulin (director) attended UCLA and studied acting with Jeff Corey before making his off-Broadway debut in NEXT TIME I’LL SING FOR YOU. From there, Harris continued acting in the classical arena with credits including A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, RICHARD III, KING JOHN, HAMLET and DANE. His Broadway debut was in WATCH ON THE RHINE; others include A LESSON FROM ALOES, UNCLE VANYA, HEDDA GABLER, THE DOCTOR’S DILEMMA, TARTUFFE, THE SEAGULL, THE VISIT, THE PRICE and THE DIARY OF Anne Frank. He was one of the founders of the Los Angeles Classic Theater. Off Broadway credits include directing BABA GOYA, THE LIME TREE BOWER and THE TRIP TO BEAUTIFUL. Films include “End Of The Road,” “Doc Holliday,” “The Midnight Man,” “Night Moves,” “Scarface,” “Another Woman,” “Narrow Margin,” “Clear And Present Danger,” “Bad Dreams,” “Ghostbusters II,” “Multiplicity,” “Rush Hour,” “Training Day,” and “Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus.”

The World Premiere of the new musical BIG MAYBELLE: SOUL OF THE BLUES (August 7 – September 2), written and directed by Paul Levine, 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 1950's America had to give. Ms. White will blow the roof off Bay Street Theatre as she brings Big Maybelle to incandescent life. Be prepared to be knocked out of your seat! Previews August 7-10 are sponsored by PCH Builders and Property Management.

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 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 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. She understudied the role of Effie in the original 1981 production of DREAMGIRLS and later played the part in the 1987 revival. She received a Tony nomination for her role in FELA! 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 2012 Mainstage Season program is partially funded by the Suffolk County Executive’s Office. Mainstage Season 3-play subscriptions are available online at www.baystreet.org or by calling the Box Office at 631-725-9500 beginning April 18. Hours: Wed. – Sat. 11 am – 5 pm. Single tickets may be purchased online and at the Box Office beginning May 16.

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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