'Dames At Sea' Makes A Splash At Bay Street Theatre

August 14, 2009

Sag Harbor - The award winning talent on Bay Street's stage continues, as the next production swings into full gear on Aug. 11 with the musical "Dames At Sea." In this rollicking valentine to the Hollywood musical of the 1930s, a plucky theatre company, along with a sweet young girl newly arrived from Centerville USA, lose their home on opening night. But the show MUST go on! This is a rollicking valentine to the campy musicals of Hollywood in the 1930s and is sure to be fun for the whole family.

Written by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller, with music by Jim Wise, "Dames At Sea" originated off off-Broadway in 1966 at the Caffe Cino then moved to off-Broadway at the Bouwerie Lane Theatre in 1968. "Dames At Sea" won several awards, including a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical. After enjoying a successful run off-Broadway, "Dames At Sea" went on to have a London run, a television adaptation, and a number of revivals.

The multi-talented Ray Roderick will direct this light-hearted musical, filled with great tap-dancing and vocal delights. Roderick has many credits under his belt, including directing the national tour of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and creating the new script adaptation for the U.S. and UK tours. The Musical Direction is under the fine hand of Rick Hip-Flores, who recently played in the orchestras of Billy Elliot, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and Spelling Bee. Shea Sullivan, a New York based film, television, and theatre choreographer ("The Big Gay Musical," "Pageant," "Frog & the Witch"), will choreograph this production.

Chaos ensues as the theatre is set for demolition on the opening night of the show and everyone scrambles to find a new home.

Roderick will oversee a talented team of actors, including Xavier Cano as Dick ("Grease," "West Side Story," "Altar Boyz"), Joyce Chittick as Joan ("Pajama Game," "Sweet Charity," "Wonderful Town"), Stuart Marland as Hennesey and The Captain ("Xanadu," "Beauty and the Beast," "Jekyll & Hyde"), Kristen Martin as Ruby ("42nd Street," "CATS," "Beauty and the Beast"), Laurie Wells as Mona Kent ("42nd Street," "Mamma Mia!," "Swing!"), and Patrick Wetzel as Lucky ("The Drowsy Chaperone," "Thou Shalt Not," "Annie Get Your Gun").

The professional talent on stage will be backed by equal caliber off stage. The production team includes Howard Jones as Set Designer (North Shore Music Theatre, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Missouri Repertory Theatre), David Lawrence as Costume Designer ("A Catered Affair," "Rock'N'Roll," "Coram Boy"), Charlie Morrison as Lighting Designer ("Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," "Aida," The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Tony Melfa as Sound Designer ("Japes," "Nobody Don't Like Yogi," "Simeon's Gift"), Kathy Fabian as Props Designer ("Waiting for Godot," "South Pacific," "Pal Joey"), Chris Clark as Production Stage Manager ("Bell, Book and Candle," "Ain't Misbehavin'," "The Lady in Question"), and Cindy Tolan as Casting Director ("All My Sons," "Xanadu," "Avenue Q").

"Dames at Sea" previews Tuesday, Aug. 11 through Friday, Aug. 14, with opening night Saturday, Aug. 15. A talk back will be held after the show on Tuesday, Aug. 18. The show runs Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m., with matinees Wednesdays and Saturdays, beginning Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 2 p.m. and Saturdays after that at 4 p.m. through the run until Sept. 6. In addition there will be a Talkback with the actors following the performance on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Tickets are $65 and $75, and can be purchased online at www.baystreet.org or by calling the Box Office at 631-725-9500, or in person at the Box Office, on the Long Wharf, Sag Harbor open 11 a.m. daily.

Bay Street Theatre is a not-for-profit institution, dedicated to presenting new, classic and contemporary works of the highest quality, which challenge as well as entertain, speak to the diversity of the community and champion the human spirit. Bay Street's commitment extends to educational programs for all ages to foster the continued value of theatre as a vital art form for future generations.

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REVIEWS Newsday 8/18/09 East Hamptom Press 8/18/09 Sag Harbor Express 8/21/09 Hamptons.com 8/14/09		'Dames At Sea' Makes A Splash At Bay Street Theatre August 14, 2009 Sag Harbor - The award winning talent on Bay Street's stage continues, as the next production swings into full gear on Aug. 11 with the musical "Dames At Sea." In this rollicking valentine to the Hollywood musical of the 1930s, a plucky theatre company, along with a sweet young girl newly arrived from Centerville USA, lose their home on opening night. But the show MUST go on! This is a rollicking valentine to the campy musicals of Hollywood in the 1930s and is sure to be fun for the whole family. Written by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller, with music by Jim Wise, "Dames At Sea" originated off off-Broadway in 1966 at the Caffe Cino then moved to off-Broadway at the Bouwerie Lane Theatre in 1968. "Dames At Sea" won several awards, including a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical. After enjoying a successful run off-Broadway, "Dames At Sea" went on to have a London run, a television adaptation, and a number of revivals. The multi-talented Ray Roderick will direct this light-hearted musical, filled with great tap-dancing and vocal delights. Roderick has many credits under his belt, including directing the national tour of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and creating the new script adaptation for the U.S. and UK tours. The Musical Direction is under the fine hand of Rick Hip-Flores, who recently played in the orchestras of Billy Elliot, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and Spelling Bee. Shea Sullivan, a New York based film, television, and theatre choreographer ("The Big Gay Musical," "Pageant," "Frog & the Witch"), will choreograph this production. Chaos ensues as the theatre is set for demolition on the opening night of the show and everyone scrambles to find a new home. Roderick will oversee a talented team of actors, including Xavier Cano as Dick ("Grease," "West Side Story," "Altar Boyz"), Joyce Chittick as Joan ("Pajama Game," "Sweet Charity," "Wonderful Town"), Stuart Marland as Hennesey and The Captain ("Xanadu," "Beauty and the Beast," "Jekyll & Hyde"), Kristen Martin as Ruby ("42nd Street," "CATS," "Beauty and the Beast"), Laurie Wells as Mona Kent ("42nd Street," "Mamma Mia!," "Swing!"), and Patrick Wetzel as Lucky ("The Drowsy Chaperone," "Thou Shalt Not," "Annie Get Your Gun"). The professional talent on stage will be backed by equal caliber off stage. The production team includes Howard Jones as Set Designer (North Shore Music Theatre, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Missouri Repertory Theatre), David Lawrence as Costume Designer ("A Catered Affair," "Rock'N'Roll," "Coram Boy"), Charlie Morrison as Lighting Designer ("Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," "Aida," The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Tony Melfa as Sound Designer ("Japes," "Nobody Don't Like Yogi," "Simeon's Gift"), Kathy Fabian as Props Designer ("Waiting for Godot," "South Pacific," "Pal Joey"), Chris Clark as Production Stage Manager ("Bell, Book and Candle," "Ain't Misbehavin'," "The Lady in Question"), and Cindy Tolan as Casting Director ("All My Sons," "Xanadu," "Avenue Q"). "Dames at Sea" previews Tuesday, Aug. 11 through Friday, Aug. 14, with opening night Saturday, Aug. 15. A talk back will be held after the show on Tuesday, Aug. 18. The show runs Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m., with matinees Wednesdays and Saturdays, beginning Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 2 p.m. and Saturdays after that at 4 p.m. through the run until Sept. 6. In addition there will be a Talkback with the actors following the performance on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Tickets are $65 and $75, and can be purchased online at www.baystreet.org or by calling the Box Office at 631-725-9500, or in person at the Box Office, on the Long Wharf, Sag Harbor open 11 a.m. daily. Bay Street Theatre is a not-for-profit institution, dedicated to presenting new, classic and contemporary works of the highest quality, which challenge as well as entertain, speak to the diversity of the community and champion the human spirit. Bay Street's commitment extends to educational programs for all ages to foster the continued value of theatre as a vital art form for future generations.