Bay Street Theatre Announces 2012 Mainstage Season: MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE, MENÂ'S LIVES and More

Bay Street Theatre is celebrating its 21st season and has announced the 2012 Mainstage productions. 

The American Premiere of MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE (May 29-June 24), was written by Geraldine Aron and will be directed by Matt McGrath, one of Bay Street’s Artistic Associates. The one-woman show tells the story of American ex-pat Angela whose irritatingly round-headed British husband takes off. She's left to cope with a disapproving mother, a shifty attorney and a bad case of hypochondria. Poignant, insightful...and very, very funny. A real treat from across the pond! Previews May 29-31 sponsored by Peconic Landing.

Geraldine Aron (playwright) was born in Ireland and spent her adult life in Zimbabwe and South Africa. She now divides her time between Cape Town and London. She wrote several award winning plays for Ireland's Druid Theatre Company, including BAR & GER, A GALWAY GIRL, SAME OLD MOON, THE DONAHUE SISTERS, THE STANLEY PARKERS and MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE. Geraldine is also the author of twelve produced television and radio plays and two screenplays.

Matt McGrath (director) most recently appeared in NEXT FALL at the Diversionary Theater in San Diego. Prior that he stepped into the role of Frank' N Furter in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at The Old Globe Theater. McGrath, last season, directed Darrell Hammond in TRU. Bay Street audiences may remember his performances in JAPES, THE LADY IN QUESTION, BEYOND THERAPY and ROMANCE. He was the recipient of the Bienecke Fellowship from the Yale School of Drama in 2007 and also received an Honorary Masters Degree from The American Conservatory Theater. His work performing in THE BLACK RIDER by Tom Waits and William S. Burroughs in London, San Francisco and Sydney, dir. Robert Wilson, earned him a Helpmann Award nomination. Broadway credits include: CABERET (Emcee) dir. by Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall and also A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. Off Broadway: HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, DISTANT FIRES (L.A. Weekly Award), A FAIR COUNTRY, GRACELAND, AMULETS AGAINST THE DRAGON FORCES and DALTON’S BACK (Drama Desk Nom.) Film credits include: “Full Gown Men” (Tribeca Film Festival '06), “Boys Don’t Cry,” “The Notorious Bettie Page,” (both by Killer Films), “The Anniversary Party,” and “The Broken Hearts Club.”

The 20 Year Revival of MEN’S LIVES (July 3-29), was written by Joe Pintauro and was based on the book of the same name by Peter Matthiessen. Harris Yulin will direct. As Sir Walter Scott once said, “It’s not fish ye’re buying, it’s men’s lives.” This play was the inaugural production presented on stage at Bay Street Theatre in 1992. Now it is being given a much anticipated revival for the 2012 Season.

“We thought this year was a great time to revive this wonderful play,” says Murphy Davis, Artistic Director. “Not only does it have a timeless message about change and the human condition, it is as pertinent today as it was 20 years ago and still means as much to people who live and visit here.”

Sag Harbor playwright Joe Pintauro emphasizes, “War was declared on the beaches of the East End when local Bay Men were forced to launch a courageous fight against the crushing effect of history and economics on their lives in the Hamptons.”

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