Silent Auction 2025 is Now Open! View Items & Bid

35 Years of Award-Winning Performances
View Timeline
Theatre ∙​​ May 23, 2026 ∙​​ 7:00pm

Talk of The Town

A concert staging of a new musical inspired by the true story behind the founding of The New Yorker. This staged reading offers a first look at a work in development, bringing 1920s New York to life through story and song.

Tickets
Illustration of 1920s characters standing beside The New Yorker building, representing figures from the musical Talk of the Town
Theatre ∙​​ May 23, 2026 ∙​​ 7:00pm

Talk of The Town

A concert staging of a new musical inspired by the true story behind the founding of The New Yorker. This staged reading offers a first look at a work in development, bringing 1920s New York to life through story and song.

Tickets

Step into the glamour, ambition, and romance of 1920s New York in Talk of the Town, a new musical inspired by the true story behind the founding of The New Yorker—presented for one night only.

Written by Eve Potts and Andrew Bentley, with music and lyrics by Jeffrey Stock, this concert staging explores the love stories that helped launch one of America’s most iconic publications. At its center are editor Harold Ross and writer Jane Grant, a bold and forward-thinking woman who helped shape both the magazine and its cultural moment.

Emerging from the same vibrant literary world that helped define The New Yorker, the story reflects a cultural moment shaped by voices like Dorothy Parker and brings audiences face to face with figures of the era including Irving Berlin and Alexander Woollcott.

Set during the Roaring Twenties, a time of jazz, artistic energy, and transformation, Talk of the Town captures a New York on the brink of becoming the cultural capital of the world.

This production offers a rare opportunity to experience a new musical in development and be part of its creative journey.

This is a concert staging of a new musical in development. Performers appear with scripts in hand, allowing the focus to remain on story, music, and character. Audience response is an important part of the development process, making this a unique opportunity to experience a new work as it evolves.

VIP tickets are available and include an exclusive reception with the creators immediately following the performance, offering a special opportunity to connect with the artists and gain insight into the development of the musical.

Back Row 35th Anniversary Special – $35
A limited number of back row seats offered in celebration of Bay Street Theater’s 35th Anniversary.

View Bios

FAQs

Sometimes called Reader’s Theater, a staged reading is a complete performance of a show without sets or costumes and with little to no blocking or movement. It puts emphasis on the script and the performers’ skill, rather then the creation of an immersive theatre experience.

Yes! All songs will be performed live as the show progresses.

90 minutes with no intermission.

It means the show is still being worked on by the writers. Live theatre is a collaborative art which requires an audience to participate in the creation to guide and inspire writers and actors alike.

Bay Street Theater strives to make our theater performances accessible to EVERYONE. Our primary mission is to Inspire, Entertain and Educate audiences of all backgrounds. Bay Street’s unique PAY WHAT YOU CAN ticket program helps us achieve our goal of making theater available to ALL. Our special PAY WHAT YOU CAN theater nights are a big highlight of our programming each year!

Sponsored By

Cuneo Group, Merrill Lynch
Account Number: 787-04G50
DTC: 8862

Scott R. Blair
Managing Director | CPFA ®, C.R.P.C. ™ 
Senior Financial Advisor | Senior Portfolio Advisor
Retirement Benefits Consultant
NMLS ID: 578993

Merrill Lynch Wealth Managment
300 Broadhollow Road, 2nd Floor 
Melville, NY 11747

T: 631-546-9501
C: 516-254-4648
F: 516-279-3208
S_Blair@ml.com

Please alert tracy@baystreet.org that you have made a stock transfer. For specific questions, please email: kim@baystreet.org

Any student with a valid ID can attend one of Bay Street Theater’s Sunday performances for FREE! Please visit our Box Office for more details.

Sponsored By

You may qualify for a tax deduction while supporting a cause that is near and dear to your heart! Vehicle donation pick-up is always free to you and most vehicles can be picked up within 24-72 hours. You’ll receive an initial car donation receipt upon pick-up and then the CARS team will work to turn your car into cash to support our cause. Once your vehicle is sold, CARS will provide you proper tax forms in time to file. CARS’ friendly Donor Support Representatives are here 7 days a week to assist throughout the process.