Dan's Papers - July 3, 2009

Starting Tuesday, July 7, Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor will be serving Dinner. On the menu is a mystery starring the acclaimed actress Mercedes Ruehl, who plays Paige, your hostess for the night. Ruehl made her name known through her work both in film and on and off Broadway. For her role in The Fisher King, she brought home an Academy Award and Golden Globe, and for her work on stage in Lost in Yonkers, Ruehl took home a Tony. An actress of such caliber certainly has the potential to make Dinner a night to remember - assuming she has the right ingredients. Dinner was written by English dramatist Moirra Buffini and is making its American debut at Bay Street, where it will be under the direction of the very talented David Esbjornson. The play chronicles a dinner party thrown by Paige in honor of the publication of her husband's recent bestseller. English born actor Daniel Gerroll plays Paige's husband, Lars. Actors J. Smith-Cameron, Reed Birney, Laura Campbell and Brian Hutchison round out the rest of the cast as the array of guests. Smith-Cameron plays Wynne, a vegetarian and former flame of Lars whose presence is sure to create tension. Birney and Campbell play the hardly compatible newlyweds, Hal and Sian, while Hutchison takes on the character of Mike, an uninvited guest whose status as a potential burglar has everyone on the edge of their seats.

The meal begins with a taste of the chaos to come, and before long relationships are on the table, leaving Paige and Lars with a lot more to clean up than dirty dishes. Throughout the course of the evening revenge looms heavily, rumors have it that the soup is suspect, a silent, anonymous waiter hovers in the background, and oh yeah - someone dies.

Despite its apparent dark nature, the play is riddled with dry, English humor. Attendees will leave the performance feeling comfortably satisfied, or hungry and wanting more. If that's the case, you'll have plenty of opportunities for seconds.

From July 7 through August 2, Dinner runs Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m., with matinees beginning Wednesday, July 15 at 2 p.m. and Saturdays after that at 4 p.m. throughout the run. Tickets are $55 and $65. This year Target is sponsoring Target Twofers, two tickets for the price of one, purchased on the day of the performance after 2 p.m. Bay Street Theatre is a not-for profit theatre located in Sag Harbor on the Long Wharf, and tickets for Dinner or any of other performances can be bought in person at the box office, by calling 631-725-9500 or online at baystreet.org.