Busch, d’Arcy James, Halston, Jackson, Nielsen, et al. Set for Bay Street

Preliminary casting has been announced for the 2007 mainstage season at the Bay Street Theatre, located on the Long Wharf in Sag Harbor, New York. Additional casting is expected to be announced next month.

Brian d’Arcy James will star in the East Coast premiere of Wendy MacLeod’s comedy Things Being What They Are, to be directed by Leonard Foglia (May 22-June 3) . The two-character show focuses on Bill and Jack, neighbors in a suburban condo complex and both reaching crossroads in their lives and marriages.

That production will be followed by Michael O’Keefe in the American premiere of Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s comedy The Night Season, directed by Lonny Price, about a film star on location in Ireland who ends up lodging with an eccentric family (June 12-July 1).

Next up will be the world premiere of Turandot: The Rumble for the Ring, an original musical created by Diane Paulus and Randy Weiner, based in part on the famous Puccini opera (July 10-August 5). No casting has been announced for this show.

The season will conclude with a new production of Charles Busch’s The Lady in Question, directed by Christopher Ashley (August 14-September 2). In addition to Busch, who will play the leading role of diva Gertrude Garnet, the show will star Julie Halston, Cheyenne Jackson, Larry Keith, Matt McGrath, and Kristine Nielsen.

In addition, the Comedy Club at Bay Street will host Paula Poundstone (May 28), Jim Breuer (June 25), Caroline Rhea (July 16), Louis CK (July 23), Craig Shoemaker (August 20), Lewis Black (August 27), Robert Schimmel (September 3), and Zach Galifianakis (September 8).

For further information, call 631-725-9500 or visit www.baystreet.org.