‘My Brilliant Divorce’ Onstage

    The Bay Street Theatre’s first play of the summer season is Geraldine Aron’s “My Brilliant Divorce,” starring Polly Draper. This will be the American premiere of the play, which will start in previews on Tuesday and run through June 24.

    The production is directed by Matt McGrath, one of Bay Street’s artistic associates.

    The one-woman show tells the story of Angela, an American living in England whose British husband leaves her. She’s left to cope with a disapproving mother, a shifty attorney, and a bad case of hypochondria.

    Ms. Draper is best known for her role as Ellen in the 1980s television series “thirtysomething,” for which she received an Emmy nomination. Her Broadway credits include “Closer,” “Brooklyn Boy,” and “Crazy He Calls Me.”

    Ms. Aron was born in Ireland and spent her adult life in Zimbabwe and South Africa. She wrote the play for Ireland’s Druid Theatre Company, for which she has written several other award-winning pieces. She is also the author of 12 produced television and radio plays and two screenplays.

    Mr. McGrath, the director, also directed Darrell Hammond last year in “Tru” and has appeared as an actor in several of Bay Street’s productions. He was the recipient of the Bienecke Fellowship from the Yale School of Drama in 2007 and also received an honorary master’s degree from the American Conservatory Theater.

    Previews run through Friday, June 1, with the first one, Tuesday, offered on a pay-what-you-can basis after 2 p.m. at the box office that day. Tickets for all performances of this production are $56 and $66. Up to 20 tickets will be sold for each summer performance for $20 at the box office after 2 p.m. the day of the show, based on availability. The $20 tickets will not be available on June 2, July 7, or Aug. 11.