Samantha Massell, Lora Lee Gayer & More to Join Bay Street Theater Gala

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts has revealed new additions to the all-star Summer Gala on Saturday, July 8, from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor. The evening will be a spectacular return to Bay Street's annual gala extravaganza, but with special twists and exciting surprises, including Lifetime Achievement Awards honoring Julie Andrews, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Matthew Broderick. Bay Street Board Member Carol Konner is the Philanthropic Honoree. This new-fangled event will take place throughout Bay Street Theater and will include a performance directed by Associate Artistic Director, Will Pomerantz featuring Broadway star Derrick Davis, and Isaac Mizrahi adds his hilarious thoughts as he oversees the live auction. Tickets are available at baystreet.org or by contacting Director of Philanthropy, Kim Fink, at kim@baystreet.org.

In addition to the above, talent including Musical Director, James Bassi, from Bay Street's Ragtime; Samantha Massell ("Rosalind Franklin" from Double Helix); Max Chlumecky ("James Watson" from Double Helix); Lora Lee Gayer ("Mother" from Ragtime) and Matthew Scott from Broadway's An American in Paris will perform.

The event marks the creation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Julie Andrews, whose passionate support of education and Bay Street has been continuous since its very founding. Friends of the Theater, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick will be honored that evening with the Joel Grey Lifetime Achievement Award.

The party kicks off with a surprise entrance and meanders through parts of the theater normally only seen by performers and stars of stage and screen. The evening takes place throughout Bay Street Theater, complete with cocktails, and special delights catered by Peter Ambrose, with dining available even on the stage. The fun continues with a sparkling celebration medley of songs performed by special guests, including Derrick Davis, who amazed Bay Street crowds as "Coalhouse" in the 2022 Mainstage production of Ragtime. In addition, Isaac Mizrahi will add his hilarious thoughts as he oversees the live auction. The auction will include a number of truly special experiences including A Viking River Cruise with a choice of cruises through Europe, Asia, or Egypt;Le Bernardin & Beautiful Noise, a lunch and wine pairing for two at Chef Eric Ripert's Michelin 3-star rated restaurant along with 2 tickets to A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical; and a luxury weeklong stay for four in a 2-bedroom WIMCO Villa in St. Barths with provisioning and private concierge service. Guests also have the chance to purchase a Tiffany box—only 100 available—each containing a small gift, with a chance to win a $1000 gift certificate.

The evening concludes with delectable desserts and dancing on the stage or a singalong for those who wish to let their Liza Minelli-style voices soar.  VIP seats are $2500. Single tickets are available for $1750, and Tiffany Boxes, are available now for ticketed guests for $150 each. All funds raised go to support Bay Street’s educational programs, along with the hard work in creating inclusivity for everyone including ‘Pay What You Can Nights’, ‘Free Student Sundays’, and a policy that “Anyone who wishes to have access to the arts will have it at Bay Street Theater”!!!

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the 2023 Summer Gala page at baystreet.org.
 
The 2023 Mainstage Season at Bay Street Theater is made possible, in part, by the Bay Street Theater Board of Trustees, Associate Producers David Fink, Keith Green & Ann Ciardullo, Myra Hackel, and Wendy Hashmall, The Shubert Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts, Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning: Office of Cultural Affairs, The Neuwirth Foundation, AARP Long Island, Adam Miller Group, Advantage Title, CeeJack Team, Channing Daughters, Corcoran, Dave Bofill Marine, Fisher’s Home Furnishings, Hollander Design Landscape Architects, LaGuardia Design Group, Maggio Environmental Services, Mala Sander + Team, National Grid, Northwell Health, Peconic Landing, PSEG Long Island, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, Unlimited Earth Care, Weill Cornell Medicine.

Bay Street Theater is a year-round, not-for-profit professional theater and community cultural center, which endeavors to innovate, educate, and entertain a diverse community through the practice of the performing arts. It serves as a social and cultural gathering place, an educational resource, and a home for a community of artists.

Bay Street Theater is a fully vaccinated company. All attendance is available via touchless ticketing. Masks are optional upon entry to the theater and when seated. For a full list of COVID-19-related safety procedures and guidelines for in-person events, please visit us online at baystreet.org.

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