Bay Street Theater drew theater stars and supporters to its 23rd annual Summer Gala held on the Long Wharf in Sag Harbor on July 12, 2014. Proceeds from the fundraiser for the non-profit theater benefited Bay Street Theater's new Scott Schwartz New Directions Fund, which supports a myriad of new programming initiatives and educational offerings.

At the Gala, Arts Visionaries Honoree awards were bestowed upon actress Kate Burton, artist April Gornik and lyricist Sheldon Harnick. Awards were presented by Bob Balaban, Marsha Norman and Richard Kind. Performers entertaining featured Broadway stars Tovah Feldshuh, an Obie award winner and actress and singer, and Patina Miller, a Tony award-winning actress and singer. Special appearances were made by Academy Award-winning composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz and The Nancy Atlas Project Band. The event was chaired by Christine Wächter-Campbell & Bill Campbell, and Pia & Jimmy Zankel.

“Our gala was a very successful night of bright stars both from above and inside the tent. We are very grateful to our Board of Trustees, our patrons and our honored guests who joined us to support the new Bay Street at this exciting time of expansion and renewal,” said Executive Director, Tracy Mitchell.

To view images from the event, view our slideshow:

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Kate Burton, Sheldon Harnick, and April Gornick. Photo by Barry Gordin.

Kate Burton, Sheldon Harnick, and April Gornick. Photo by Barry Gordin.

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Attendees of Bay Street's Summer Gala included Stephen Schwartz, Patina Miller, Tovah Feldshuh, April Gornik, Eric Fischl, Kate Burton, Sheldon Harnick, Bob Balaban, Marsha Norman, Richard Kind, John Wiedman, Susan Stroman, Roy Furman, Joel and Michelle Cohen, Elisa Stein, Ellen and James Marcus, Steve Kroft, Janelle Reiring, Helene Wiener, Ralph Gibson, Toni Ross, Neda Young, Jo Anne Ross, Mary Jane Marcassiano, and other notable members of the Hamptons community.

At the cocktail hour, held beneath a white tent styled like a backstage setting at the theater, guests were surprised by a flash mob dance event choreographed by Wendy Seyb, featuring dancers Jeremiah Ginn, Jessica Kennedy, Ashley Haycock, Daphne Lee, Megan MacPhee, Crystal Rodriguez, and Sidney Erik Wright. Approximately 400 guests followed the dancers into the colorful dinner tent to enjoy a farm-to-table dinner by Peter Ambrose.

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The dining area. Photo by Barry Gordin.

The dining area. Photo by Barry Gordin.

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At dinner, details of Bay Street Theater's new projects were announced including The Scott Schwartz New Directions Fund. This new initiative supports new programming at Bay Street including the New Works Festival; The Shakespeare Initiative, which will present The Tempest on August 16 (free to the community) and 17 (VIP benefit); Blackout at Bay Street, a new late night performance event launching this summer; and expanded educational initiatives including free student tickets for this fall’s Literature Live, which this year will present To Kill A Mockingbird.

Bay Street Theater's new artistic director Scott Schwartz also introduced the new Joseph Stein New Musicals Fund at Bay Street Theater, which has been recently launched to support the development and presentation of new musicals.

"The 23rd Annual Bay Street Gala was a great event and wonderful opportunity to share with our supporters and friends the new programs we have launched at Bay Street this summer,” said Schwartz. “This really is the new Bay Street, a place of artistic innovation and live entertainment where the most exciting artists engage with our community in so many ways." 

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Patina Miller. Photo by Lenny Stucker

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Bay Street Theater is a year-round, not-for-profit professional theater and community cultural center which endeavors to innovate, educate, and entertain a diverse community through the practice of the performing arts.  Bay Street Theater is located at 1 Bay Street, Sag Harbor, NY 11963. www.baystreet.org

To view images from the event, view our slideshow:

View Slideshow

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