‘Tales From the Guttenberg Bible’ Is Season Finale at Bay Street Theater

Bay Street Theater’s next summer production will be “Tales From the Guttenberg Bible,” a sparkling narrative written by and starring film star Steve Guttenberg (“Diner,” “Cocoon,” “Three Men and a Baby” and “Police Academy” franchises). The show, which opens August 1, will be the season finale of Bay Street’s 2023 mainstage season and is presented as a co-production with George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, N.J. and is directed by David Saint.

“Tales From the Guttenberg Bible” is a farcical, laugh-out-loud story written by and starring Guttenberg. This hilarious journey from the Guttenberg’s family home on Long Island to the glamour of Hollywood as told by Guttenberg himself and three other actors — recounts how he broke onto the Paramount Lot and set up an office, 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 (mostly) true.

“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 Steve Guttenberg. “My aim is to entertain and for people to learn what an actor really does to break in, break out and grab the 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 it’s a joy to share it all with a live audience.”

Bay Street’s Artistic Director, Scott Schwartz, added, “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 of three playing 90 roles!”

Steve Guttenberg made his acting debut in “The Boys From Brazil” with Laurence Olivier and Gregory Peck. From that recognition, he attracted a variety of leading roles including the film classic “Diner” (1983), which was chosen by Vanity Fair as the Best Film of the Last Thirty Years, and the broad comedy, “Police Academy” (1984) which continues to be one of the highest earning film franchises ever. In 1985 Guttenberg’s fame increased with “Cocoon,” a life-affirming film of the highest order. The science fiction genre continued with “Short Circuit” (1986), John Badham’s groundbreaking artificial intelligence film.

Guttenberg worked opposite Isabelle Hupert in Curtis Hansen’s “Bedroom Window” (1986), the heralded Hitchcockian thriller. In 1987, Disney released “Three Men and a Baby,” Leonard Nimoy’s popular movie about bachelors raising a child. The film went on to announce itself as the number-one-grossing film of the year and provided a successful sequel. Guttenberg has the record for most original films to go to franchises in film history, and for appearing in the most films in the Screen Actors Guild from 1980-1990, tying Gene Hackman. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and continues to learn and study his beloved craft.

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. Guttenberg also played Henry Percy in 2025, in The Hudson Warehouse Theatre’s production of “Henry IV.”

“Tales From the Guttenberg Bible” also features three other actors — Carine Montbertrand, Dan Domingues and Arnie Burton, alternating with Stephen DeRosa.

The show runs August 1 through August 27 at Bay Street Theater. Tickets are $70 to $135 at baystreet.org. Bay Street Theater is on Long Wharf in Sag Harbor.