Sag Harbor's Chris Bauer to Star in Celebrity Reading at Guild Hall

While Chris Bauer is known to many as the charming and funny sheriff Andy Bellefleur on HBO's "True Blood," the actor plans to take on a new persona on Friday for a one-night only celebrity reading of "Columbus and Amsterdam" to benefit and The Felix Organization/Adoptees For Children.

"" is a romantic comedy written by Emmy-nominated writer and producer Eugene Pack, who is the creator of the comedy hit, "Celebrity Autobiography."  Bauer said that he has never performed from Pack's work before, but that he is really looking forward to the night.

"He has an incredible reputation and many of my colleagues speak highly of him, so I'm excited for the opportunity," said Bauer.

Actors Scott Adsit ("30 Rock"), Edie Falco (HBO's "The Sopranos"), Kyra Sedgwick ("The Closer"), and Dayle Reyfel are also cast to read from Pack's newest play about two couples from Manhattan whose emotional and sexual lives get turned upside down after a chance encounter with a woman from their past.

Bauer, who is a Sag Harbor resident and serves on the board at , said on Monday that he has worked with the show's director Bob Balaban twice in the past and he is looking forward to working with him again.  He said that he worked with Balaban on the film, "Bernard and Doris," alongside Susan Sarandon and Ray Fiennes, and the made-for-TV film, "The Exonerated."

"Bob Balaban is one of the great, great theater people, directors, and actors around.  It's always a privilege to spend a day with him," said Bauer.

Aside from starring on "True Blood" and HBO's "The Wire," Bauer has an extensive stage career under his belt, including performing locally at Guild Hall numerous times and starring in "Romance" at Bay Street Theatre in August 2010. Bauer also starred as Harold Mitchell in Broadway's 2005 revival of the Tennessee Williams classic, "A Streetcar Named Desire."

Before heading back to Los Angeles to begin filming another season of "True Blood," Bauer will return to New York this fall to perform in the world premiere of the Atlantic Theater Company production of "What Rhymes With America," by Melissa James Gibson.

The performance begins at 8 p.m. Tickets for Prime Orchestra and VIP Reception catered by Citarella $75; Orchestra $40/$38 members; Balcony $30/$28 members.  To purchase tickets by phone call the Box Office at 631-324-4050, or TheaterMania at 1-866-811-4111.