Mister Halston - Bay Street Theater | 6.10.26

Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor is currently producing the one-man play "Mister Halston" from June 2nd through June 21st. Directed by Michael Wilson, it tells the story of famed fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick (more commonly known as 'Halston') from the character's point of view. I generally find one person shows to be hit or miss; is this story going to be engaging enough that only looking at one person will feel sufficient? Is this going to be somebody that I want to look at and listen to for 90 minutes?

Thankfully, the answer to all of those questions is yes. Matt McGrath is absolutely captivating as Halston! McGrath delivers a dynamic performance that I won’t soon forget - he showed us Halston’s warmth as we were invited into his home and we also got a glimpse of how intense things can get when things aren’t moving in his favor. We learned of the celebrity friendships he cherished and the legal troubles he faced towards the end of his career. Every time the phone rang, we saw another side to him and it was thrilling to watch. “Mister Halston” touches on all of the important moments in Halston’s life from the formation of the Halston brand, to the brand ownership struggles he faced, all the way to his unfortunate and untimely death.

The set (designed by James Noone) is stunning and serves as a character in its own right. Elegant and bold, it demands attention. The walls and floor are all painted red (just gorgeous) with a funky looking bar with a couch and table - simple and perfect - with video screens built into the back that provided additional context to some of the longer monologues. The space draws you in and leaves plenty of room for McGrath to move and showcase Halston’s all-consuming aura. 

“Mister Halston” is performed in one act, without an intermission - so be sure to use the bathroom before entering the theater! You won’t want to miss a moment. Tickets can be purchased in person, by calling the box office, or via their website at baystreet.org.

Cast:

Roy Halston Frowick - Matt McGrath

Creative Team:

Playwright - Raffaele Pacitti

Director - Michael Wilson

Production Stage Manager - Robert T. Bennett

Assistant Stage Manager - Denise Yaney

Set Designer - JAmes Noone

Costume Designer - David C. Woolard

Lighting & Projection Designer - Mike Billings

Sound Designer/Original Music - John Gromada