Late last week, Bay Street Theater announced its 2023 summer lineup, a season that will bring together top theatrical talent in four shows. With a stellar mix of old and new, the season kicks off with the world premiere of “Double Helix” (May 30-June 18), a new musical by Madeline Myers directed by Scott Schwartz and choreographed by Addy Chan; followed by a thrilling new adaptation of “Dial M for Murder” (June 27 - July 23) directed by Walter Bobbie; “Sammy & Me,” a play with music by Wendy Dann and Eric Jordan Young (August 14 - August 19); and then in an extraordinary finale, Kate Burton and Susan Stroman team up for Terrence McNally’s “Master Class” (August 1 - August 27).
“Wow, what a season this will be!” says the theater’s artistic director, Scott Schwartz. “I am so excited that Bay Street will be bringing a broad range of stories and theatrical experiences to our audience in 2023. From a new musical written by a thrilling new voice to a personal and timely one-man show, to cherished plays directed by Tony Award-winning leaders in the American Theater — all four productions will showcase the best that theater can be. To welcome back Kate Burton, not only one of the greatest actors of our time, but also someone who has been a part of Bay Street from the very beginning, is a particular joy for us.”
Subscriptions for the 2023 season are now on sale at baystreet.org.
“Double Helix” (world premiere) — May 30 - June 18
A new musical by Madeline Myers directed by Scott Schwartz, choreographed by Addy Chan, musical direction by Patrick Sulken
In the early 1950s, the race to discover the structure of DNA grips the scientific community. One brilliant young researcher, Rosalind Franklin, contends with adversity, anti-Semitism, and love, to uncover one of life’s great mysteries. But will she sacrifice what makes her human, to discover what makes us human?
“Dial M for Murder” — June 27 - July 23
A play by Frederick Knott, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, directed by Walter Bobbie
An edge-of-your-seat, new adaptation of the celebrated suspense thriller made famous by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 masterpiece film. Tony suspects his wife, Margot — a wealthy socialite — is having an affair. As he plots to have her killed in this stylish game of cat and mouse, the tension grows, and the twists and turns will keep you guessing until the very end.
“Sammy & Me” — August 14 - August 19
A play by Wendy Dann and Eric Jordan Young, directed by Wendy Dann, starring Eric Jordan Young
Sammy Davis, Jr. was a singer, dancer, child star, fixture of the Rat Pack … but at what cost? Virtuosic Broadway performer Eric Jordan Young investigates his own obsession with Sammy — and his questions take audiences on a whirlwind journey through Sammy’s life and his music. But when you ask, “who was the man behind the perfect cool smile?” the answers that unravel are as powerful as the new questions they raise.
“Master Class” — August 1 - August 27
A play by Terrence McNally, directed by Susan Stroman, starring Kate Burton
In the waning years of her life and with her career far behind her, opera diva Maria Callas retreats into memories of acclaim and adversity while contending with her students during a funny and brutal Master Class in singing. The show won the 1996 Tony Award for Best Play.