Dan’s Papers October 21, 2011 arts & entertainment danshamptons.com Page 67
Bay Street Theatre Will Be Looking to Move The featured musicians are all past special guests at the Jam Session series or part of the Thursday Night Live Band, which is the Jam Session house band. The night is collaboration between Bay Street Theatre, the Jam Session, Peconic Public Broadcasting and Bay Burger. People of all ages can enjoy a wonderful mix of Fusion with Latin, World and Jazz music. “A concert of this caliber,” says Claes Brondal, organizer of the Jam Session, “is rare to Long Island and an all star line up like this can only be found at venues such as Lincoln Center, Blue Note and major Jazz festivals.”
Photo by S. Dermont
By Oliver Peterson It came down to the rising cost of rent. The board of directors at the Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor made the decision to leave its location on Long Wharf after the 2012 season. Its lease ends in May 2013. Tracy Mitchell, the executive director, and Murphy Davis, the theater’s creative director, made the announcement last Tuesday at a meeting of the Sag Harbor Village Board. In addition to the high rent, falling ticket sales and production costs were cited. The theatre pays $186,000 per year in rent to Malloy Enterprises, run by Patrick Malloy III, who owns the building and several other waterfront properties in Sag Harbor. The rental price is slated to go up to $200,000 a year in 2013. Mitchell and Davis reassured the Village Board that they will be looking for a space in Sag Harbor for its new home. The theater is in the midst of its major annual appeal, and Mitchell said they need $375,000 to cover the theater’s annual operating budget. Due to a series of unfortunate events Bay Street had to cancel eight performances this summer, and the losses cost the theater 10 percent of its annual revenue from ticket sales. Three performances of the summer’s final play, Enter Laughing were canceled because of Tropical Storm Irene, two performances of Tru were canceled after star Darrell Hammond became ill during the run, and two more performances were canceled at the end of the schedule when Hammond was involved in a car accident. Additionally, Bay Street’s Literature Live! program lost its underwriter this year, and Mitchell said they have only secured half of the $30,000
Last weekend at Bay Street
needed to keep it afloat. Literature Live! is an educational program where the theater puts on a full dramatic production of a classic novel for middle school students in November. In the past, Target underwrote the program and Bay Street adapted The Miracle Worker and The Diary of Anne Frank. This year the theater plans to adapt To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, which begins on November 7. Bay Street has recruited actress, comedian and new board member Joy Behar to chair this year’s 20th annual appeal. Mitchell said Behar sent out letters to all members and patrons, they are meeting with major donors, and she is looking other fund raising options, including a benefit at the theater on Thursday, November 10, at 8 p.m.
The world renowned, international, Grammy Award-winning jazz musicians performing include Ada Rovatti , tenor saxophone; Morris Goldberg, alto saxophone; Jim Campagnola, tenor saxophone; Randy Brecker, trumpet; Alex Sipiagin, trumpet; Max Feldchuh, vibraphone; Steve Watson, upright bass, Bryan Campbell, guitar, Peter Weiss, upright bass and Brondal on drums. Tickets are $30 per person, which includes general admission and some light nibbles. A cash bar will be available. Tickets can be purchased at the box office at 631-725-9500. Bay Street is asking that people in the community to donate what they can, because the $20 donations are just as important as the major contributions, Mitchell said. To donate to Bay Street Theatre, visit www. BayStreet.org and click the “Donate” button. Mitchell said they would also accept checks, cash or charge at the theater’s development office, so donors can drop by or call (631) 725-0818.
LAUGH-OUT-LOUD FUNNY. CAUSE TO SHOUT FOR JOY!”
“
ALICIA PRESENTS KEYS
DULÉ HILL
MEKHI PHIFER
TRACIE THOMS
AND
RUBEN SANTIAGO-HUDSON
ALSO STARRING
ROSIE BENTON CONDOLA RASHAD A NEW AMERICAN PL AY BY
DIRECTED BY
LYDIA R. DIAMOND KENNY LEON
(212) 239-6200
PREVIEWS BEGIN NOVEMBER 18
CORT THEATRE StickFlyBroadway.com 6880
FLY_S048_
MM
9.375” w x 6” h
9/30