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Sag Harbor is a village where Melissa Errico has created many fond memories, from working at Bay Street Theater, to renting silent movie icon Lillian Gish’s home, to falling in love with her childhood friend and tennis star Patrick McEnroe.
This weekend—for the first time since her sold-out solo concert at Bay Street last July—the actress and singer returns to perform in the village that holds a special place in her heart. On Friday, August 25, and Saturday, August 26, in Sag Harbor’s Mashashimuet Park, she’ll co-star in a concert reading of the 1948 Broadway musical “Kiss Me, Kate,” presented for free by Bay Street.
“I haven’t been back to the Bay Street since I was really young, but last summer I took the roof off the theater in July, and the artistic director said, ‘What do you wanna do next year?’” Ms. Errico said, recalling how she once again found herself set to perform in Sag Harbor.
The question of what—or more appropriately, who—she wanted to perform had a simple answer.
Ms. Errico said one of her fondest and earliest memories in Sag Harbor was living in Anthony John “Tony” Walton’s house while working for Bay Street. Mr. Walton, the recipient of Academy, Tony and Grammy awards, is one of the most celebrated Sag Harbor residents. During this time, 1997, Mr. Walton was a set designer for the world premiere of a show at Bay Street called “Make Someone Happy,” and Ms. Errico co-starred in the production.
“It was an incredible time. I have had so many great experiences,” she said. “But in terms of coming back with a classic show, the last time I was working for Bay Street was one of the most classic experiences that Sag Harbor had ever seen. It was just incredible.”
In thinking of how to keep a classic experience alive, the character Lilli Vanessi from the musical “Kiss Me, Kate” came to mind. The show is described as one of the most beloved musicals of all time, featuring music and lyrics by Cole Porter and a hilarious book by Samuel and Bella Spewack. Lilli is one of two main characters who are both larger than life actors battling in life and love during a production of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” The role also made sense to Ms. Errico in an art-imitating-life kind of way.
“I’m an actress playing an actress,” she said. “She’s a pain in the neck, she’s proud, she’s a bit haughty, but she’s also vulnerable, she’s got a good heart.”
One of the challenges, Ms. Errico said, of playing such a classic role is figuring how to make the character her own as well as filling the shoes of the original actress, Patricia Morison.“It’s celebrated and so famously performed by so many great people, so there’s always that, when you first start something, even if you can relate to it, how do you even begin?” she said. “You have to kind of think a little bit.”
Richard Troxell will accompany Ms. Errico as he plays Lilli’s ex-husband and director, Frederick C. Graham. Mr. Troxell is a renowned tenor and opera singer. He has worked with the Metropolitan Opera among many other international opera houses, and has been seen as Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton in the award-winning 1995 film “Madame Butterfly,” based on the Puccini opera. Mr. Troxell and Ms. Errico collaborated in the past during shows at 54 Below, a nightclub in Manhattan that regularly welcomes Broadway professionals, and in symphony concerts.
“He could break all the glasses at a nightclub. He can be heard even if the moon is competing with him outdoors,” Ms. Errico said of Mr. Troxell’s impressive vocals.
While the concert reading will be an abridged version of the musical, there will be much to look forward to. The audience, Ms. Errico said, will be able to relate to the dynamic between the two main characters who act like they hate each other, but clearly are still in love. The night will consist of a thrilling combination of dancing, singing and interesting subplots, one involving 1940s gangsters. Songs like “Too Darn Hot,” “So in Love” and “Always True to You in My Fashion” will be performed.
Aside from the excitement of live theater, Ms. Errico simply wants the audience to come and relax at the show.
“I know how lovely it is to be spending time with your family. I know what off-duty feels like there,” she said of the South Fork. “I love the idea of entertaining so many people who are having a good time already.”
She believes the park is the perfect venue for the performance since families can come and set up with their blankets, and leave at their leisure. She said it will be a night with charisma and charm, and called it “the quintessential good night in the Hamptons.”
“Kiss Me, Kate” is part of the Bay Street Under the Stars free concert series presented by Bay Street Theater. The performances will take place on Friday, August 25, and Saturday, August 26, starting at 7 p.m. both nights. For more information, visit baystreet.org or call the box office at 631-725-9500.
on Aug 22, 2017