Sag Harbor - How do events change us? Do we look back with hope or despair at the way in which our lives are affected by the time in which we live? These are the questions posed by "Fifth of July," a funny and moving play written by Sag Harbor's own Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson.

Set in a Southern Missouri farmhouse, "Fifth of July" reunites a group of friends and former activists drawn together again to scatter the ashes of a relative and friend who has died. The group recounts the past as the disillusionment of what has become of their lives and relationships is revealed.

Anson Mount.

A Sag Harbor resident since 1970, Wilson began his career in the early 1960s writing one-act plays. One of his early works, "The Madness of Lady Bright," was Caffe Cino's first significant hit and its longest running play. In 1969, Wilson co-founded The Circle Repertory Company. His production of "The Hot L Baltimore" at the Circle Rep won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, and the Obie Award.

In 1979 he received the Pulitzer Prize in Drama for "Talley's Folly," part of his famous Talley Trilogy, the third play being "Fifth of July." "Fifth of July" debuted on Broadway in 1980 at the New Apollo Theatre and was last revived in 2002 at the Signature Theater Company's season-long tribute to Lanford Wilson.

In Bay Street's revival, Broadway Director Terry Kinney puts his spin on this classic play. Kinney is a founding member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company with Gary Sinise and Jeff Perry. His directing credits at Steppenwolf include "The Violet Hour," "Of Mice And Men" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" which moved to Broadway and won a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. He recently directed Piper Perabo in reasons to be pretty on Broadway. Kinney is also an accomplished actor himself having appeared in "Save The Last Dance" and "Sleepers" among other films, and is perhaps best known for his role as Tim McManus on HBO's hit series "Oz."

Kinney will oversee a talented group of actors including David Wilson Barnes as John Landis, Becky Shaw and Danny Deferrari as Weston Hurley, Kally Duling as Shirley Talley, Elizabeth Franz as Sally Friedman, Shane McRae as Jed Jenkins, Anson Mount as Kenneth Talley, Jr., Jennifer Mudge as Gwen Landis, and Kellie Overbey.

David Wilson Barnes.

To support the cast behind the scenes is a talented production team which includes David Gallo as Set Designer, Sarah Holden as Costume Designer, David Weiner as Lighting Designer, Original Composition and Sound Design by Obadiah Eaves, and Bay Street regulars Kathy Fabian as Props Designer and Brian Meister, as Stage Manager.

"Fifth of July" runs Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m., with matinees on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 p.m. except during preview week. The show will close on Sunday, August 1. Please note that this performance will contain partial nudity. "Fifth of July" is a co-production with the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts, where it will move following its run at Bay Street.

Single tickets are $55 and $65 and can be purchased at www.baystreet.org, or by calling the Box Office at 631-725-9500, or in person at the Box Office on the Long Wharf, Sag Harbor, open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bay Street Theatre is a not-for-profit regional theater presenting new, classic and contemporary works, with a commitment to challenging and entertaining our diverse community. This commitment extends to innovative educational programs that highlight the power of live theater. It is our mission to be an artistic haven for an extended family of artists and audience, while continuing to provide a gathering place to share in the unique collective theatrical experience.