Mercedes Ruehl Will Star In 'Safe Space,' Bay Street Theater's Second Summer Production

“Safe Space,” a new play by Alan Fox, runs June 25 to July 21 at Bay Street Theater. Last week, the theater announced the cast and creative team for the production. Directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien (“All My Sons,” “Henry IV,” “Hairspray,” “The Coast of Utopia”) “ Safe Space” will star Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Mercedes Ruehl along with Sasha Diamond, who made her Broadway debut in “Significant Other” and Rodney Richardson who recently had a leading role in “The Tempest” opposite Sam Waterston in Central Park for The Public Theatre.

Set at an elite university, “Safe Space” explores political correctness and the reaction to triggers on campus in America today. When a star African-American professor (Mr. Richardson) faces accusations of racism from a student (Ms. Diamond), the head of the college (Ms. Ruehl) must intervene, setting off an explosive chain of events where each must navigate an ever-changing minefield of identity politics, ethics, and core beliefs.

“We are thrilled to announce the cast and creative team for this new world premiere play,” says Scott Schwartz, Bay Street’s artistic director. “They are an extraordinary group of artists, and under the leadership of legendary director Jack O’Brien, I know they will deliver a searing performance that will wrestle with some of the most controversial issues in America today.”

The creative team includes: Tony Award winner David Rockwell (Scenic Designer), Tony Award winner Jane Greenwood (Costume Designer), Tony Award winner Bradley King (Lighting Designer), Tony Award winner John Gromada (Sound Designer), Jeff Sugg (Projection Designer), Andrew Diaz (Props Designer), Stephen Gabis (Dialect Coach) and M. William Shiner (Production Stage Manager). Casting by Will Cantler at Telsey & Company.

Single tickets for “Safe Space” are now on sale as well as 3-play subscriptions at 631-725-9500 or online at www.baystreet.org.