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Focused on the widespread fear of McCarthyism ravaging the who’s who in 1950s Hollywood, Bay Street Theater’s world premiere of “Fellow Travelers” explores the tension behind the silver screen for director Elia Kazan, writer Arthur Miller and actress Marilyn Monroe. Running from May 29 to June 17, the play by Jack Canfora, and directed by Michael Wilson, will kick off the theater’s 2018 Mainstage Season.
“This play is about giants of the stage and screen, larger than life personalities who made great art and a great impact on our American culture. It is a searing portrait of extraordinary people struggling with the politics of their time and their love for one another, and I can’t wait to see how this cast and creative team brings their story to vivid life,” said Scott Schwartz, the artistic director of the year-round, nonprofit theater and community cultural center in Sag Harbor.
Mr. Schwartz admitted this summer line up has a particular nod to politics. He said each show will give the audience an experience that is sure to drum up questions and fierce debates around the East End.
“Fellow Travelers” explores the relationship between Kazan, of “On the Waterfront” and “East of Eden,” and Arthur Miller, of “All My Sons” and “A View from the Bridge”—the latter of which drew inspiration from House Un-American Activities Committee investigations—and the love of Mr. Miller’s life, Monroe. It’s a show about loyalty and politics, which is similar to today’s political climate, Mr. Schwartz said. The two artists were soon unable to have a conversation as friends, but could exchange ideas through their work in plays like “The Crucible.” While Kazan eventually gave into HUAC, Miller was held in contempt of Congress, fined and sentenced to jail time when he refused to give up so-called fellow travelers.
“[The show] doesn’t take sides, saying Kazan was wrong and Miller was right--or perhaps vice versa,” Mr. Schwartz said. “There are no villains in this play.”
The five-person show was brought to Bay Street by commercial producer Leonard Salway, in partnership with the Shubert Organization.
Continuing the Mainstage season will be Peter Morgan’s “Frost/Nixon.” The 2006 play that debuted in London is about the landmark series of interviews between English journalist David Frost, played by Daniel Gerroll, of “Enchanted April,” and former U.S. President Richard Nixon, played by Harris Yulin, of “Ozark” and “Scarface” fame, three years after his resignation. It’s directed by Sarna Lapine, drawing inspiration from Mr. Morgan, whose credits also include the film “The Queen” and Netflix’s “The Crown”.
“It’s a kind of boxing match,” Mr. Schwartz said of the play. “Specifically, diving into these two guys and finding what makes them tick.”
The production will include live camera work, and screens on set to highlight the showdown between Mr. Frost and Mr. Nixon. Mr. Schwartz calls it a cynical and humorous analogy to today’s political climate.
“Frost/Nixon” will be staged from June 26 to July 22.
In between, the psychological fist fight of the Watergate Scandal and the Mainstage production of “Evita”—which follows the life and power of Eva Perón posthumously, directed by Will Pomerantz—Bay Street Theater’s intern staff will take over the stage with “Obama-ology,” a book by Aurin Squire adapted for the stage about what it’s like to work on a presidential campaign. Interns will completely run the show from marketing, to acting, directing and designing.
There’s another bonus show: “Confessions of a Mormon Boy,” part of a trilogy written and performed by Steven Fales, and directed by Mr. Schwartz. It’s the true life story of Mr. Fales who was cast out by his Mormon community and faith for his sexuality, undergoing conversion therapy, divorce, prostitution and drug abuse. The one-man show will run July 17 to July 22. The prequel “Mission Statement” and sequel “Prodigal Dad” will also be offered.
Mr. Schwartz touted Bay Street’s interpretation of “Evita,” a show he has been looking to do for a long time.
“We are stripping down a well-known show to its essential elements to highlight the strength of our actors,” he said.
The show will have a single set: a rundown tango club in Buenos Aires several years after Ms. Perón’s death. The show normally starts with her death. The set will be optimized for a lot of space to make room for a lot of choreography. And of course, song’s like “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina,” “Buenos Aires” and “Another Suitcase in Another Hall” sung by an all adult Latin cast.
“The show is all about the very complicated life of a woman who uses her sexuality to gain power to gain respect and another kind of power,” Mr. Schwartz said. He added that it has a striking resemblance to the Me Too movement against sexual harassment and assault, and concerns another timely topic: populist leadership. “Evita” will run July 31 to August 26.
Bay Street is bringing back “Talkback Tuesdays” where audience members can meet and chat with cast members after select performances.
For Mainstage shows, there’s special pricing for individuals under 30 years old, 20 years old and for students with a valid school ID. The theater is also bringing back “Pay What You Can” performances on select performances, which Mr. Schwartz said is an effort to support and cultivate community around the theater. The theater rebranded itself five years ago adding Sag Harbor Center for the Arts to its name.
The Comedy Club is back on select Saturdays with Paula Poundstone on May 26, Colin Quinn on June 23, and Bobby Collins on July 28. Also, Music Mondays will include performances by Jackie Hoffman of “Hairspray” and Norm Lewis of NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
Children will have an opportunity to participate in an array of programing, like creating their own Greek myths, puppeteering, writing music, learning improv, studying Shakespeare and much more through Bay Street’s Kids Theatre Camp and Teen Master Classes from July through August.
Tickets, programming and Bay Street Mainstage subscriptions are available at the Bay Street Theater and Sag Harbor Center for the Arts Box Office, at 631-725-9500 and at baystreet.org.
on May 22, 2018