Bay Street Announces ‘Tales from the Guttenberg Bible’

Bay Street Theater has announced that “Tales From The Guttenberg Bible,” a new comedy written by and starring film star Steve Guttenberg, will be the season finale of the theater’s 2023 mainstage season, following the postponement of Terrence McNally's “Master Class.”

“Tales from The Guttenberg Bible” will be presented as a co-production with George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and joins “Double Helix” and “Dial M For Murder” as the third and final show of the upcoming summer, with performances August 1 to August 20.

“Tales from the Guttenberg Bible” is a farcical, laugh-out-loud story). It follows Guttenberg’s journey from his family home on Long Island to the glamour of Hollywood as told by Guttenberg himself — how he broke into the Paramount Lot, to his run-ins with everyone from Paul Reiser and Tom Selleck to Brian Dennehy and Merv Griffin. It would be an unbelievable tale, if it wasn’t true (mostly).

“This story has been swirling around my brain for years and I’ve gotten it out in pieces but now I feel the tale must be told,” said Guttenberg. “My aim is to entertain and for people to learn what an actor really does to break in, break out and grab opportunity when the door opens.

“It’s a Valentine to my family, friends and Hollywood,” he added. “I have much to be grateful for and can’t wait to share it all with a live audience.”

Bay Street's Artistic Director, Scott Schwartz said, "While we are sorry we won't get to share ‘Master Class’ with our audience in 2023, we do hope to find an opportunity to do so in the future. But we are beyond thrilled to bring the incredible Steve Guttenberg and his hilarious new play to Sag Harbor. I love Steve's movies and I can't wait to see him live on our stage joined by an uproarious cast playing 90 roles. This summer, the stars will be shining brightly at Bay Street."

Steve Guttenberg made his acting debut in “The Boys From Brazil” with Laurence Olivier and Gregory Peck. He attracted a variety of leading roles including the film classic “Diner” (1983) and the comedy “Police Academy” (1984). Guttenberg's fame increased with “Cocoon,” “Short Circuit” and “Bedroom Window .” In 1987, he starred in Disney’s “Three Men and a Baby,” about bachelors raising a child.

On the legitimate stage, Guttenberg appeared in “The Boys Next Door” (1993) in London's West End, “Prelude to a Kiss” (1995) on Broadway and “Furthest From The Sun” (2000) at the June Lune Theatre in Minneapolis. He has produced an Emmy-nominated television special, “Gangs,” performed in the original “Miracle On Ice” and also ABC's “The Day After,” still one of the most watched television events in history.

Subscriptions for the 2023 Bay Street Theater season are on sale at baystreet.org.