Since Josh Gladstone joined LTV Studios in Wainscott as associate producer earlier this year, that venue has ramped up its live productions with the Piano Masters series, the American Songbook programs, and, starting next Thursday, the revival of the Playwrights' Theatre of East Hampton.
Founded in 1992 by Mitzi and Perry Pazer, the Playwrights' Theatre operated for 20 summers, first at LTV, and then at Guild Hall. Among the notable actors who appeared in its productions were Eli Wallach, Anne Jackson, Judd Hirsch, Estelle Parsons, Dianne Wiest, Peter Boyle, Jack Klugman, and Mercedes Ruehl, among many others.
Mr. Gladstone contacted the Pazers after joining LTV, and received their permission to relaunch the series. In association with Sawyer Spielberg's Where Are They Going Theatre Company, the series will launch with a staged reading of "Stupid F*cking Bird," by Aaron Posner, at 8 p.m. next Thursday and Friday, Aug. 4.
An adaptation of Chekhov's "The Seagull," the play tells the story of a young director's rampage against the art created by his mother's generation; a young actress's rivalry with an aging Hollywood star, and every character's discovery of the surprises of love, art, and growing up.
The production stars Mr. Spielberg, Kate Mueth, Raye Levine, Joe Pallister, Will Sturek, Jess Mortellaro, and Ed Kassar. Heen Sasithorn Sturek will direct. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door, and $75 for front-row cafe tables.
With two gold records and one platinum, Joe Delia is known for his blues piano onstage and more than 30 feature-film scores. Mr. Delia, who will take the stage at LTV on Monday at 6 p.m., has played with such stars as Dusty Springfield, Pat Benatar, Bruce Springsteen, and Keith Richards.
He scored most of Abel Ferrara's films, including "Ms. 45," "King of New York," "Bad Lieutenant," and "The Funeral," and recently toured France with Mr. Ferrara, celebrating his film music.
Tickets to the Piano Masters series are $10, and can be purchased on the LTV website.
Blues will yield to jazz on Tuesday with "A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald," featuring Jane Hastay on piano, Peter Martin Weiss on bass, and jazz vocals by Darcey.
Ms. Hastay and Mr. Weiss, who are married, are well known not only to East End audiences, but have appeared solo or together at Birdland, the Village Vanguard, the Five Spot, and Blue Note in Manhattan. Both have toured internationally.
Darcey's concert appearances have included the Triad and Danny's Skylight Room in New York and Art of Song concerts in Bridgehampton.
American Songbook tickets are $45, $75 for front-row cafe tables.
