World Premiere @ Bay Street Theater
The Forgotten Woman, a new play by Jonathan Tolins, opens at Bay Street.
Bay Street Theater is presenting the World Premiere of The Forgotten Woman, a crowd pleasing new play by Jonathan Tolins of Buyer and Seller fame, which opened the Mainstage season in Sag Harbor. 
Mark Junek, Noah Himmelstein. Jonathan Tolins, Ashlie Atkinson, Robert Stanton, Darren Goldstein, Justin Mark
The story of The Forgotten Woman is set in a sumptuous hotel suite in Chicago a few days before Margaret Meier, a gifted soprano, will open in a opera she and her entourage hope will launch a major career for her. Up until now the reluctant diva’s career has been dominated by her fluctuating weight and overbearing husband. The terrified singer is played by Ashlie Atkinson, and her controlling husband Rudolph is played by Robert Stanton. The other characters are Margaret’s manager Eric played by Mark Junek, a bellhop Jordan played by Justin Mark and a journalist Steve, who will become the catalyst for the unfolding action, played by Darren Goldstein.
Margaret struggling along without an assistant has forgotten this is the day a journalist is coming to interview her and is unglamorously unprepared. The paper has sent Steve, a handsome entertainment journalist, who to Rudolph and Eric’s chagrin knows absolutely nothing about opera.When Margaret discovers her error and realizes the reporter is a former crush she played opposite in her high school production of Hello Dolly, she quickly exits the room to get her act together. She returns looking terrific and determined to captivate Steve with her self-deprecating down to earth humor. Over the next couple of days, she and Steve unwittingly set in motion a series of events which will force Margaret and the others to confront their reality in the demanding world of opera.
On opening night, the talented actors helmed by director Noah Himmelstein navigated the challenging terrain with skill and charm delighting the audience with many hilarious moments on Tim Mackabee’s splendid set. If Tolins’ tale is predictable and contrived, no one seemed to care. This was opening night, and the evening is a perfect summer entertainment, an escape from the media’s fascination with Trump. Here is a heroine who rolls with the punches and succeeds in mastering her life with style and grace in the process of overcoming her doubts to release the star within. Patrick Christiano
The Forgotten Woman is now playing on the Mainstage of Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor through June 19. For tickets or more information call 631-724-9500 or online at boxoffice@baystreet.org
Opening Night Photo: Barry Gordin
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