Photo Flash: Inside Bay Street Theater's Summer Gala, Featuring THE PRINCE OF EGYPT Concert!

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts is pleased to announce the success of the premiere concert reading of the first act of DreamWorks Theatricals new stage adaptation of The Prince of Egypt which was part of Bay Street Theater's 24th Annual Summer Gala which took place in Sag Harbor at the Long Wharf on July 11, 2015 to benefit Bay Street's educational and theatrical programs. ThePrince 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. Bay Street's Artistic Director Scott Schwartz directed the reading, Dominic Amendum was 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.

Also in attendance to the event were Bill Damasche and Dori Berinstein from DreamWorks Theatricals.

Honorees

The gala honored The Honorable Timothy Bishop and Joe Pintauro. The award to Timothy Bishop was given by Ana Daniel, Bay Street Theater's Founding Chair. Joe Pintauro's award was given by Scott Schwartz, Bay Street Theater's Artistic Director.

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

Items in this year's live and silent auctions were managed by 501 Auctions which included mobile bidding. Items include: a week at the beach on St. Barth's at a luxury WIMCO villa with unparalleled concierge service and complimentary provisioning; 18 holes of golf for two with Richard Kind at The Bridge; a cocktail party at your home catered by Sterling Affair; dinner and two tickets to the hottest new musical on Broadway, Hamilton and so much more! 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!

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

This year's sponsors included: The Bridge Golf Course, Bridgehampton Florist, Channing Daughters Winery, David Scott Interiors, East End Limousine, The Golden Pear, Grand Hyatt Resort, David Lawenda/Facebook, Hamptons H2O Water, Merrill DataSite, Peconic Landing, Pierre's Restaurant, Searles Graphics, Southampton Publick House, Suffolk County National Bank, Sterling Affair, Wimco Villas, Worth. Media Sponsors are Dan's Papers and Hamptons Magazine.

Photos by Barry Gordin