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There are many reasons to go see the production of “Bob & Jean, A Love Story,” now playing at the Bay Street Theater. The new play by Robert Schenkkan (who attended this performance) opened to a standing ovation this past weekend and will run until June 15th. It is the first show of Bay Street Theater’s 2025 MainStage season. This production of “Bob & Jean” is a triumph. The crowd stood and applauded this “love story” celebration because they felt something special was happening on stage—something magical that marks the birth of a successful new play.

Bay Street Theater officially kicked off its summer season on May 31 in Sag Harbor with Bob & Jean: A Love Story, playwright Robert Schenkkan’s unabashedly romantic homage to his parents. As its title makes clear, this is every inch a love story. But don’t be misled. Yes, it’s light and airy, but it’s in no way insubstantial; it’s optimistic but not naive; elegiac but not maudlin, old-school but not old-fashioned.

I was fortunate enough to attend opening night of “Bob & Jean: A Love Story” at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor on Saturday, and I’m so glad I did.

It’s a tragic fact of life. As children, we take our parents — and their stories — for granted. We don’t ask questions, nor do we listen attentively when they talk about how things were “back in their day.”
After all, we have places to go and friends to see. but then we grow up.

HEART OF EAST END WLIW.ORG/RADIO

Lovely interview with Gianna Volpe about Bob Schenkkan defending PBS and, of course, BOB & JEAN, A Love Story!https://www.wliw.org/radio/captivate-podcast/may-27th-2025-robert-schenkkan/

Recently appeared on WKBG 92.FM as part of their “Lunch on the Deck” show, in which I pick twenty songs that my hosts and I then discuss. Here then, are twenty of my favorite love songs and commentary on Bob & Jean, A Love Story. Enjoy!

This Mother’s Day my thoughts of my mom, Jean Mckenzie, were even richer, having spent the previous year writing about her love affair with my father in a new play, BOB & JEAN, A Love Story. I had learned a lot.

Next Tuesday, Bay Street Theater opens its 2025 mainstage season with the premiere of a brand new play that has a decidedly local connection.

I tell people that there are three great moments in the process of creating a new play.