Issues relating to identity politics, racism, and political correctness are not likely to fade from social and political discourse any time soon, especially with a presidential election looming and an incumbent known for neither nuance nor tact. “Safe Space,” a new play by Alan Fox having its world premiere at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor next week, explores the detonation of those issues on the campus of an elite American university.
Directed by the three-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning director Jack O’Brien, “Safe Space” stars Rodney Richardson as an African-American professor accused of racism by an Asian-American student (Sasha Diamond). Mercedes Ruehl plays the head of the college, whose intervention sets off an explosive chain of events that threatens to damage the institution’s reputation.
“ ‘Safe Space’ is a really exciting, riveting, upsetting new play about political correctness and the whole idea of triggers and safe spaces on college campuses,” said Scott Schwartz, Bay Street’s artistic director. “The playwright, Alan Fox, is a rising star in Hollywood. The play first came to me from an agent, but Amy Pascal, who used to run Sony Pictures, signed on to produce this play and is also developing it as a movie.”
Mr. Fox was an all-state basketball player in North Carolina before an injury ended his college career. He moved to New York, where he earned a degree from Hunter College while working as a model for the Bella Agency. “Safe Space” is his first full-length play.
A member of the Theatre Hall of Fame, Mr. O’Brien’s most recent project is the current Broadway revival of Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons,” for which he received an outstanding director nomination from the Outer Critics Circle. In addition to his long list of Broadway and Off Broadway plays, his credits include five productions for PBS’s American Playhouse television series. “He has directed some of the best-known shows of the past 25 years,” said Mr. Schwartz, “and it’s really exciting to have him and his work on our stage.”
Ms. Ruehl, who lives in East Hampton, won an Academy Award and Golden Globe for her performance in Terry Gilliam’s film “The Fisher King,” and Tony, Drama Desk, and Helen Hayes Awards for the 1991 Broadway production of Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers.” Her lengthy stage, screen, and television résumé includes frequent appearances at both Bay Street and Guild Hall.
Ms. Diamond made her Broadway debut in “Significant Other.” Her Off Broadway credits include “Teenage Dick” (The Public Theater), “Bobbie Clearly” (Roundabout Theatre), and “The Wong Kids” (Ma-Yi Theatre Company). She has appeared in various regional productions, and her television work includes “Murphy Brown,” “Blindspot,” and “High Maintenance.”
Mr. Richardson recently appeared in Chris Morris’s feature “The Day Shall Come,” which premiered at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival. Other recent work includes a recurring role on the CBS drama “FBI” and guest leads in “Instinct,” “Law & Order: SVU,” and “The Good Wife.” He has appeared in Second Stage’s production of “Somebody’s Daughter” and in “The Tempest” opposite Sam Waterston in Central Park for the Public Theatre.
After preview performances Tuesday through Friday, June 28, “Safe Space” will open June 29 and continue through July 21. Show times are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays at 7 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. (except for July 6), with 2 p.m. matinees on July 3, 7, 10, and 14. On Tuesday, a limited number of pay-what-you-can tickets to that evening’s performance will be available at the door only on a first-come-first-served basis.