The latest effort from Second Beat Productions, Gutenberg! The Musical! is a side-splitting spoof, following Bud Davenport and Doug Simon, authors of a wildly inaccurate and off-beat musical about printing press inventor Johannes Gutenberg, who are auditioning their work to potential Broadway producers – with delirious overconfidence. The actors boast that chances are if you don’t know the person sitting next to you in the audience, they in fact are a producer; Since details around Gutenberg’s life are scant – at least based off the most cursory Google search Bud and Doug did – we are told the musical is historical fiction, which is, apparently, fiction that’s true. This intentional ineptitude and naiveite sets the tone for the entire show, a rib-tickling tour de force from the creators of Beetlejuice: The Musical.
The plot follows Gutenberg, a wine presser, intent on enlightening the illiterate townsfolk of medieval German town Schlimmer, culminating in his invention of the printing press, despite the nefarious efforts on an evil Monk, who seeks the destroy the press, and keep the town in figurative darkness. Described as a reading of a musical, with no set or costumes, and just a few props – Bud and Doug play all the parts themselves, with the help of hats labelled with character’s names – making the chorus line particularly comical. Gutenberg! The Musical! has no pretensions, and it is soon evident that what Bud and Doug lack in expertise and conventional talent, they make up for with relentless enthusiasm and optimism. This script itself bursts with silly asides and flippant dark humour, subverting expectations throughout for the funniest evening at the theatre I’ve enjoyed this year.
The night I attend, Bud is played by Liam J.K, who co-directs the play with Daniel Kirby, with Kirby playing the role of Doug. They are capably accompanied by Rae Rose on keys, who is also credited as Music Director. J.K and Kirby throw themselves into their work with gusto, bringing the perfect balance of charisma and chaos, each literally wearing a multitude of hats, navigating the shifts between multiple characters with madcap mastery and natural comedic credibility, their timing and interplay with each other top-notch, regardless of which character they are portraying at a given moment.
Overall, it is remarkable the substantial impact a small team with a clever script can deliver – without any major production features or other artifice. Gutenberg! is an amusing look behind the curtain, and an eminently enjoyable antithesis to other more polished and produced shows. Highly recommended.
To book tickets to Gutenberg! The Musical!, please visit https://piptheatre.org/gutenberg-the-musical/.
