Photo Flash: Bay Street Theater Presents BETTYÂ'S SUMMER VACATION

Bay Street Theatre is pleased to announce BETTY'S SUMMER VACATION, by Christopher Durang; directed by Trip Cullman will be the second Mainstage Production for 2011 running July 5-31. This outrageous comedy is about a young woman who spends the summer at the beach, in a house share that spins wildly out of control.

"Since seeing and loving BETTY'S SUMMER VACATION at Playwrights Horizon, years ago," says Murphy Davis, Artistic Director, "we've always wanted to produce this play at Bay Street."

"Due to the incredible response from our audience for other over-the-top comedies such as ROMANCE, DINNER, and BEYOND THERAPY," says Sybil Christopher, Artistic Director, "we knew it was time to present one of Durang's most outrageous comedies."

Betty's idea of a summer vacation is blown to bits when her house mates begin to file in. One after another, each inhabitant of the house share begins to show their true colors which are simply "psycho-delic." This will be a summer Betty will never forget.

"Before the Simpsons were the Simpsons. Before South Park was South Park; there was Playwright Christopher Durang," says Murphy.

Durang's credits include BEYOND THERAPY which was part of the 2008 Mainstage Season at Bay Street Theatre, THE MARRIAGE OF BETTE AND BOO, A HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FILM (Tony nomination), SISTER MARY IGNATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU, BABY WITH THE BATHWATER, LAUGHING WILD, MRS. BOB CRATCHIT'S CHRISTMAS BINGE and MISS WITHERSPOON. He appeared with Sigourney Weaver in their co-authored DAS LUSITANIA SONGSPIEL and with Julie Andrews in the Stephen Soundheim review of PUTTING IT TOGETHER. He co-chairs the Playwriting Program at The Juilliard School, with Marsha Norman, and is a member of the Dramatists Guild Council.

At the helm of Bay Street's production is director Trip Cullman, whose credits include Broadway's TAKE ME OUT (Associate Director) and Off Broadway directing of: A SMALL FIRE, THE DRUNKEN CITY, SOME MEN, THE WOODEN BREEKS, DOG SEES GOD, MANIC FLIGHT REACTION, SWIMMING IN THE SHALLOWS, ROULETTE, LAST SUNDAY IN JUNE. For television, he was part of the set team for the mini-series, ANGELS IN AMERICA.

The Actors' Equity cast includes John Behlmann whose credits include JOURNEY'S END on Broadway and THE 39 STEPS (New World Stages). Veanne Cox was last seen at Bay Street Theatre in THE BOY FRIEND, directed by Julie Andrews. Her Broadway credits include LA CAGE AUX FOLLES and COMPANY (Tony Award Nomination). Tom Riis Farrell's Broadway credits include CHICAGO and CORAM BOY. Tim Intravia's credits include OSWALD and TONY N TINA'S WEDDING. Celia Keenan-Bolger's Broadway credits include THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Tony Award Nomination) and PETER AND THE STARCATCHER. Heidi Schreck plays the role of Betty. Her credits include: THE LANGUAGE ARCHIVE (The Roundabout Theatre) and CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION (Playwrights Horizon). Bobby Steggert's Broadway credits include; RAGTIME (Tony nomination) and 110 IN THE SHADE. Also in the production are non-equity actors Jacob Hoffman whose credits include NIGHTTIME TRAFFIC and I'LL BE DAMNED and Kate O'Phalen who has been in WICKED:FOR GOOD and THE HANGED MAN.

Previews for BETTY'S SUMMER VACATION BEGIN Tuesday, July 5. Opening night is Saturday, July 9. Tuesday - Saturday evening performances at 8 pm. Sunday night performance is at 7 pm. The talkback with the cast after the show is Tuesday, July 12. 2 pm matinees are on Wednesdays July 13, 20 and 27. 4 pm Saturday matinees are July 16 and 23.

Veanne Cox, Heidi Schreck, Trip Cullman and Celia Keenan-Bolger

Bobby Steggert

Celia Keenan-Bolger and Heidi Schreck

Heidi Schreck and Veanne Cox

Trip Cullman, Veanne Cox, Heidi Schreck, Celia Keenan-Bolger, John Behlmann