Bay Street Theater celebrated its 24th Annual Summer Gala held in Sag Harbor at the Long Wharf on July 11, 2015. The not-for profit theater drew supporters, along with theater and film stars to their annual benefit. Proceeds from the gala will support Bay Street’s educational and theatrical programs.

The evening began with the premiere concert reading of the first act of The Prince of Egypt. The benefit then continued in the tent on the Long Wharf with dinner prepared by Sterling Affair, and a party with live and silent auctions, run by celebrity auctioneer Richard Kind.

The premiere concert reading of the first act of DreamWorks Theatricals new stage adaptation of The Prince of Egypt was a success. The Prince of Egypt features book by Philip LaZebnik (writer of Mulan, Pocahontas) and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (composer of Wicked, Pippin, Godspell); both creators attended the Gala. Also in attendance to the event were Bill Damasche and Dori Berinstein from DreamWorks Theatricals. Bay Street’s Artistic Director Scott Schwartz directed the reading, Dominic Amendum was the Musical Director, and casting was by Stewart/Whitley.

The special concert reading featured Broadway and film stars, as well as local talent, including Matthew James Thomas (Pippin, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark) as Moses, Aaron Lazar (The Wolf of Wall Street, This Is Where I Leave You, J. Edgar) as Ramses, Tony Award winner Patina Miller (Pippin, Sister Act, Madam Secretary) as Tzipporah, Norm Lewis ( Scandal, Porgy and Bess, Phantom of the Opera) as Jethro, Stephen Bogardus (West Side Story, Les Miserables, Man of La Mancha) as Seti, Julia Murney (Wicked, 30 Rock, The Wild Party) as Queen Tuya, Kyle Barisich (Phantom of the Opera, The Following) as Aaron, John Treacy Egan (Jekyll & Hyde, The Producers, Nice Work If You Can Get It) as Hoy, Ryan Knowles (We Will Rock You!, NEWSical: the Musical, Radio City Christmas Spectacular) as Hotep, Joanna Howard (Peter and The Starcatcher, National tour of Les Miserables) as Nefertari, Julia Motyka (Travesties, Richard III) as Miriam, and Anna Schiavoni as Young Miriam.

Along with the thrilling principal cast there was a large chorus of local performers led by Choir Master Greg Wilson. The chorus included: Gary Ducoing, Vivienne Grizzle-Jaber, Pattie Hulmes, Courtney Kossick, Matt Luca, Austyn Myers, Elizabeth Oldak, Ariana Pazz, Katelyn Piotrowicz, Zack Reily, Sarah Soltysik, Marquez Catherine Stewart, Matt Tursi, Jennifer Roller, Carlton Welsh, Christian Wern, Michelle Wern, and Greg Wilson.

The gala honored The Honorable Timothy Bishop and Joe Pintauro. Ana Daniel, Bay Street Theater’s Founding Chair, gave the award to Timothy Bishop. Scott Schwartz, Bay Street Theater’s Artistic Director, gave Joe Pintauro’s award. The event was chaired by Erik Batt and Daniel Marsili, with honorary chair, Joy Behar.

Items in this year’s live and silent auctions were managed by 501 Auctions, which included mobile bidding. The Silent Auction included Celebrity Doodles from Richard Kind, David Hyde Pierce, Stephen Schwartz, Lance Bass, Bob Balaban, Jason Alexander, Florence Henderson, Kathy Najimy, Debbie Gibson and more.

Bridgehampton Florist provided the flowers for the Gala, the owners Michael Grim and Jim Osburn have donated arrangements for the past 24 years. This year, they provided beautiful hydrangeas, adorned with peacock feathers.

Looing ahead to next year, to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Bay Street Theater, the Quarter Century Club has been established with a lead gift of $25,000 from Adrianne and Jerry Cohen. Membership in the Quarter Century Club will consist of people who commit to supporting Bay Street with an additional annual gift of $5,000 for 5 years for a total gift of $25,000. Funds raised will be earmarked for artist housing. Members will receive special recognition in the playbill and the first 25 names will be included on a distinctive plaque in the lobby. A special Quarter Century Membership Club Event will be held for members this fall.

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts 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.

To see images of the event, view our slideshow:

View Slideshow

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Ana Daniel, Joe Pintauro. Photo by Barry Gordin.

Ana Daniel, Joe Pintauro. Photo by Barry Gordin.

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The Auction at Bay Street Theater's Summer Gala. Photo by Barry Gordin.

The Auction at Bay Street Theater's Summer Gala. Photo by Barry Gordin.

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Philip LaZebnik, Tracy Mitchell, Dori Berinstein, Steven Schwartz, Scott Schwartz. Photo by Barry Gordin.

Philip LaZebnik, Tracy Mitchell, Dori Berinstein, Steven Schwartz, Scott Schwartz. Photo by Barry Gordin.

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BASIC INFO: Bay Street Theater is located at 1 Bay Street, Sag Harbor, NY 11963. www.baystreet.org.

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Copyright 2015 Hamptons Art Hub LLC. All rights reserved.

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