Together with George Street Playhouse, The Bay Street Theater presents “Tales from the Guttenberg Bible,” written and starring renowned actor Steve Guttenberg. The standing ovation the show produced defines why Guttenberg is a star. His performance was golden as in the unique way gold shines in pure sunlight. The show is directed by David Saint and Produced by Julian Schlossberg. Once again, Bay Street Artistic Director Scott Schwartz and Bay Street Executive Director Tracy Mitchell demonstrate their magic touch in choosing shows to present on the Mainstage.
I highly recommend this show at the Bay Street Theater through August 27th. Tickets and information are available at www.baystreet.org.
While the personable Mr. Guttenberg’s charm and storytelling skills are the backbone of this production, the performances of Arnie Burton, Dan Domingues, and Carine Montbertrand must be applauded equally. Playing countless roles with various wigs and instant costume changes, their pure talent added energy, comedy, and even drama that glued the story of Mr. Guttenberg’s show business career together. This show entertains.
Steve Guttenberg possesses an innate ability to connect with an audience. His movie successes at the box office prove that. In this show, perhaps you experience why, i.e., he is a good guy with good timing and a certain shy charisma that endears him to his audience. His facial expressions are genuine and not overacted or false. His distinctive voice is comforting, with a wonderful glowing stage presence.
Carine Montbertrand plays many roles, including an effective mother to Steve and his various agents. Her ability to age her appearance, augmented by her skill of altering her movement in her various characters, is outstanding. In fact, worthy of a standing ovation too. As are the performances of Arnie Burton and Dan Domingues.
Arnie Burton is stellar in his many slapstick roles. He moves around the stage as if he owns it, with pure kinetic energy you can feel in the last row of the theater as if you were in the front seat. He makes you giggle, gasp, and laugh sometimes in the same instant. Kudos and accolades to Arnie Burton he is a genuine theater ticket, and alone is worth the price of the ticket.
Dan Domingues also shines in his many roles. His good looks and sleek movements with a velvety dash of panache add a touch of class to the production. He bursts in and out of scenes like a sexy jaguar. In other instant roles, he is serious and considerate but always cute and funny.
A shout out to Lisa Zinni, Costume Designer. How she was able to provide effective costumes that had to be put on and off in literally seconds has to be applauded. Choosing the various wigs and hairpieces used deserves some sort of Tony Award.
Making a successful production takes lots of work from various talented hands such as Caite Hevner, Set, and Projection Designer. Joe Saint, Lighting Designer, and Samantha Flint, Production Stage Manager. Then there is Scott Killian, Sound Designer and Original Music. Finally, there are the assistants such as Caitlyn Ostrowski, Assistant Stage Manager. Julia Norton, Production Assistant, and Stefanie Anarumo, Assistant Director. Also, Vittoria Orlando, Assistant Lighting Designer, and Shaughn Bryant, Associate Sound Designer.
