'Men's Lives' Review

“Men’s Lives,” now staging at Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, is one of those rare works of art that transcends. It not only entertains but also informs, leaving theatergoers feeling just a little bit more aware, compassionate and, it is hoped, more fired up to do something positive.

The true feat of this type of work—which Joe Pintauro accomplishes with this 20-year-old revival of his original play, based on a book of the same name by Peter Matthiessen—is to subtly teach but not in a hit-you-over-the-head with a history lesson way. Accomplished.

Yet another treasure within this particular production—directed by Harris Yulin and starring Victor Slezak, Rob DiSario, Brian Hutchison, Scott Thomas Hinson, Peter McRobbie, Deborah Hedwall, Myles Stokowski and Mark Coffin—is the gift of allowing a true ensemble cast to shine, which Mr. Yulin does quite well.

The show is well cast and brimming with talent. Bravo to every single actor on the stage, who was each utterly believable in their role. That might not sound like much to some, but to me it’s the highest praise I can give an actor.

The plot of “Men’s Lives,” which focuses on the struggle of the baymen to make a living in the age of prohibitive legislation, is familiar to most who live here on the East End. But the main themes of the story have much more far-reaching roots: pride in a job well done, conservation of land and resources, keeping a family together in the midst of hardship, the animosity between the haves and have-nots, the growing subservience of the middle- and lower-classes to the ruling-class and the loss of identity that comes with the decimation of a way of life.

“I feel sheltered here even though there is no roof,” Mr. Slezak as Peter, says during a visit to the former home of an East End fishing family, now gone.

“It’s the top of the world, it’s my lair,” Ms. Hedwall later echos as Alice, the clan’s matriarch. “Time and money didn’t matter to us, it was just about being together.”

But everything changes when the “upstreeters” come out east with their rods and reels to catch striped bass for sport. The wealthy second-home owners and vacationers quickly undercut the baymen and put pressure on the political top dogs to make the struggling Bonackers stop haul seining, thus cutting off their primary means of support.

“Now there’s nothing left to do but kiss their backsides and mow their lawns,” says Mr. Hutchison as Lee, a high-school dropout and born-and-bred man of the sea. “Hauling for striped bass is our last hope to make a living here.”

I’m not sure how the show will be received by our seasonal visitors and “1-percenters.” I’m guessing there will be a bit of squirming in seats, in addition to flowing tears (I’ll admit it, I was moved several times during the show). But I have to tell you, on Saturday night, nary a seat was vacant at Bay Street and many of the faces present were locals who admittedly don’t normally take in a lot of shows, which was a welcome sight indeed.

Bottom Line: “Men’s Lives” is a love letter to a vanishing way of life. It’s moving, passionate and well worth the price of admission. Go see it.

“Men’s Lives” will stage at Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor Tuesdays through Sundays, through Sunday, July 29. Tickets range from $56 to $66 and are available at the box office, online at baystreet.org or by phone at 725-9500.