From the moment you step into Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, the thumping disco beat and crimson walls transport you straight to the late 1970s, early ’80s. The atmosphere evokes a night at New York’s Studio 54: a smoke-filled dance floor, flashing lights, vodka tonics in hand, and all the excess that defined the era. It was in this world that American fashion designer Halston rose to superstardom. By day, he created flowing chiffon and silk gowns for women; by night, he immersed himself in a glamorous, hedonistic scene filled with beautiful models and unapologetic decadence.
Born Roy Halston Frowick in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1932, he began as a milliner and first attracted national attention when Jacqueline Kennedy wore one of his pillbox hats to President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inauguration. He soon transitioned into high fashion, designing dresses for stars such as Liza Minnelli, Bianca Jagger, and Elizabeth Taylor.
But, after making several bad business decisions as well as some questionable personal relationships, never mind multiple “hook-ups” fueled by an unlimited supply of cocaine (remember, it was the ’70s & ’80s), his empire begins to crumble. His garments that were once sold at Bergdorf Goodman’s were now being sold at J.C. Penney’s. To make matters worse, he discovers that he has sold his name as well.
The play, “Mister Halston,” written by Raffaele Pacitti and directed by Michael Wilson, brings us to 1987, to an Upper East Side apartment in Manhattan, where the legendary Halston — played by Matt McGrath — is being interviewed by a New York Times reporter. McGrath delivers one of the most riveting performances in Bay Street Theatre’s current production. Watching him command the stage with vulnerability and charm is a masterclass in acting. He is Halston!
Produced by Donna Karan and Bruce Robert Harris, Bay Street’s 90-minute production of “Mister Halston” is a sharply written and brilliantly directed one-man show that captures many facets of Halston’s rise and fall in a remarkably short time. The actor’s use of the fourth wall and onstage props, including the telephone, adds to this production’s realism. All noteworthy choices made and executed by scenic designer James Noone, sound designer John Gromada, and lighting by Mike Billings.
If you’re looking for a show that captivates and brings you back to those sexy, smoke-filled, chiffon-covered ’70s, then Bay Street Theatre’s production of “Mister Halston,” running now through June 21, is perfect. Get your tickets at Baystreet.org or by calling 631-725-9500.