THE BASICS: Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201, April 12 – 28. Click here for tickets.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: Gutenberg! The Musical! was written by Anthony King and Scott Brown. A pair of aspiring playwrights perform a backers’ audition for their new, ill-advised project—a big, splashy musical about printing press inventor Johann Gutenberg. Bud and Doug sing all the songs and play all the parts in their crass historical epic, with the hope that one of the producers in attendance will give them that elusive Broadway contract.
RUNTIME: Gutenberg! The Musical! has a run time of approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION: Gutenberg! The Musical! was developed at the improv theatre Upright Citizens Brigade in New York City with over a year of versions by childhood friends, Anthony King and Scott Brown who also wrote the musical Beetlejuice. The show was part of the 2005 New York Musical Theatre Festival and there was an off Broadway production in 2006 and, last year, there was a Broadway production starring Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells from The Book of Mormon.
The play is delightful! The concept is solid, the lyrics are clever, and the script (aside from a few jarring running references) is consistently entertaining.
Director Lorraine O’Donnell keeps the proceedings zippy and has endowed the production with tons of humorous bits of business – making the most of every moment. Musical Director Chuck Basil did fine work, and Joe Isgar is fabulous (as usual) on the keyboard and plays his character, Charles, with an amusing deadpan expression. He even nods off at one point. The lights by Brian Cavanagh bring a lot of variety to the stage – there must be hundreds of light cues!
Ricky Needham is adorable as the would-be librettist, Doug. Mr. Needham has exquisite comic timing and the spaghetti limbs of a young Dick Van Dyke. Zak Ward plays his partner – the guy who wrote the tunes to their musical version of the life (and demise) of Gutenberg. Mr. Ward is also very funny and his blank, wide-eyed look reminded me of Tommy Smothers. Yes, I know I am dating myself here – but being compared to these classic comedy stars is a huge compliment! Both Mr. Needham and Mr. Ward have wondrous talent and energy – singing, dancing, and playing a wide variety of off-the-wall roles including a lovelorn grape-stomper and a satanic monk.
They are ably assisted by a plethora of versatile baseball caps.
This is the perfect show for a warm, cozy house like The Kavinoky. You can understand every line and lyric of this good-natured, laugh out loud nonsense. This is a top notch production and the WNY premiere of a sparkling gem. Don’t miss it!
*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)
ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.
TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.
THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.
FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.
FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!
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