Dan's Papers - June 15, 2007 - The Night Season At Bay Street Theatre

Bay Street Theatre continues its 2007 Target Mainstage Season with the American Premiere of The Night Season, by Rebecca Lenkiewicz; directed by Lonny Price. The cast includes Rosie Benton, Katherine Helmond, David Patrick Kelly, Michael O'Keefe, Kellie Overbie, Ana Reeder and Richard Short.

The Night Season (June 12 - July 1) tells the story of a film star on location in Sligo, Ireland who discovers that his lodging during the shoot is at a home with three feisty sisters, a poetry-quoting father and an eccentric grandma who sings show tunes. The play played to packed houses in 2004 at the National Theatre's Cottesloe stage in London. I got the opportunity to speak with legendary actress, Katherine Helmond, whose talent is both remarkable and certainly, one-of-a-kind.

Q: Is this your first time performing at the Bay Street Theatre?

A: Yes, this is my first time performing on the Bay Street stage. But I have seen many performances there. It is quite impressive. Me and my husband, David Christian, who is an artist and was close with William De Kooning, lived in between Bridgehampton and Sag Harbor for twenty years.

Q: What made you come back to the Hamptons?

A: Sag Harbor is a charming village. What makes Bay Street Theatre so unique is that each person involved is totally committed to putting on a great show -whatever the subject matter may be. They have really expanded the theatre and its programs -it has really become a living landmark.

Q: You have worked in television a lot, how is stage acting different for you?

A: When I am not working on sitcoms and am back East, the requirement is different. The immediacy of when the curtain is drawn helps me keep my vitality. It helps me stay stimulated and keep my voice sharp.

Q: How has working on The Night Vision been for you?

A: I love this story. It is so real and has so many dynamic emotions within the play that you can really feel the energy of the characters. And what a wonderful stage to perform this on - it's just perfect.

Katherine Helmond's acclaim includes:
Broadway: Mixed Emotions, Great God Brown (Tony nomination). Off Broadway: House of Blue Leaves (Obie nomination) New York: The Vagina Monologues, The Oldest Profession. Regional: Ancestral Voices, Night, Mother; Steel Magnolias, Quartermaine's Terms, a one-woman show at the Pasadena Playhouse based on the life and career of Sarah Bernhardt, entitled Sarah In America, Madwoman of Chaillot (Williamstown Theater). Film: Voice of Tin Lizzy in Pixar/Disney production of Cars; Brazil, Overboard, Family Plot, The Hindenburg, Baby Blue Marine, Time Bandits, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas; Shadey, Lady in White; Inside Monkey Zetterland. TV: Jessica Tate in ABC's Soap (Golden Globe Award), Everybody Loves Raymond (Emmy Nomination); Mr. St. Nick with Kelsey Grammer; Coach; Mona on Who's The Boss? with Tony Danza (4 Golden Globe Nominations; won Golden Globe in 1988; London TV Times award for actress who had brought the most joy to the viewing audience.); Ms. Scrooge; Meeting of the Minds, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, mini-series Pearl; Diary of a Mad Woman; The Legend of Lizzie Borden; Honeymoon Hotel with Andy Griffith; Rosie; World War II; When Will I Be Loved, The Perfect Tribute, Christmas Snow and Deceptions. Ms. Helmond has been honored by Women in Show Business, Women in Film (the Topaz award) and most recently by the De Paul University for Excellence in the Arts. Ms. Helmond and her husband David have formed Taurcan Productions in order to develop and produce film and other projects that interest them.

This is a performance not to be missed. The Night Season is showing through July 1st. Tickets are on sale now at the Bay Street Theatre Box office at 631-725-9500 or log on to www.baystreet.org.