The Historical Tale

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, two men named Scott Brown and Anthony King wrote a show called, Gutenberg! The Musical!, which they performed at The Upright Citizens Brigade, The New York Musical Theatre Festival and the Jermyn Street Theatre in London, England. After rousing responses and critical acclaim, they then gave their show to the world.

This is what followed...

NEW YORK, NY

Photo by Joan Marcus

Miscellaneous Reviews

Talkin' Broadway

Curtain Up

Time Out NY

Nov. 21-Dec. 31, 2006

59E59 Theaters

59 East 59th Street

New York, NY 10022

January 16 - May 6, 2007

The Actors Playhouse

100 Seventh Avenue South

New York, NY

Cast:

Christopher Fitzgerald as Bud

(January 16 - February 11, 2007)

Jeremy Shamos as Doug

(January 16 - April 1, 2007)

David Turner as Bud

(February 13 - May 6, 2007)

Darren Goldstein as Doug

(April 10 - May 6, 2007)

Directed by: Alex Timbers

What's the Word?

"Who knew that a musical about the life of the inventor of the printing press could have so many laughs? And while adding the theme of the Holocaust might not be historically accurate, I agree with Doug that it gave the show real gravitas."

-NY Times

"Theatergoers who don't relish shucked corn mixed with slices of ham may be advised to stay away; for those in the mood, though, "Gutenberg! The Musical!" is one hell of a goofy evening." -Variety

Videos

Production Photos

Posters

Photo by James Ambler

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH**

November 16 - December 30, 2007

Plan B Theatre Company

Studio Theatre

Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center

138 W. Broadway (300 South)

Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Cast: Jay Perry as Bud

Kirt Bateman as Doug

Musical staging by: Colleen Lewis

Musical direction by: Jeffrey Price

What's the Word?

"If the holiday stress is wearing you down, maybe what you need is a good laugh. Or, even better, a healthy dose of a barrel of laughs. Plan-B's regional premiere of Scott Brown and Anthony King's "Gutenberg! The Musical!" is laugh-out-loud hilarious." -Deseret News

Stop the Press

Playbill.com

Awards

Deseret Morning News:

Best Comedy 2007

Salt Lake City Weekly Arty Awards:

Best Theatre Production 2008

** Gutenberg! The Musical!'s Regional Premiere

HOUSTON, TX

March 12 - April 19, 2008

Theatre Lab Houston

1706 Alamo Street

Houston, Texas 77007

Cast: Dylan Godwin as Bud

Josh Wright as Doug

Directed by: Linda Phenix

What's the Word?

"One of the dangers of a two-man show is that the two actors have no or little rapport, or that one predominates. That is not the case with Wright and Godwin who command the stage with equal presence; in fact, their chemistry is such that you feel they could almost become one."

-HPR

Production Photos

WASHINGTON, DC

March 21 - April 6, 2008

Washington, DC

Landless Theater Company

DC Arts Center (DCAC)

2438 18th St. NW

Washington, DC

Cast:

Andrew Lloyd Baughman as Bud

Matt Baughman as Doug

Directed by John Sadowsky

What's the Word?

"The goofballs behind "Gutenberg! The Musical" make no bones about what they don't know regarding their biographical subject, but you have to smile at what they invent." -Washington Post

"The frustration in reviewing a show like Gutenberg! The Musical! involves resisting the urge to ruin the joy of the show by describing some of the best jokes. If you go, you will experience the highest ratio of laughs to ticket cost of any area show in recent years. Gutenberg! The Musical! deserves both of the exclamation points in its title." -DC Theatre Scene

Stop the Press

Press Release

Production Photos

Video

HUDSON, NY

June 11 - June 29, 2008

Stageworks/Hudson

41 CrossStreet

Hudson, NY

Cast:

David Tass Rodriguez as Bud

Billy Kimmel as Doug

Directed by: Laura Margolis

What's the Word?

“Tuna” and “Vep” work in part because the script demands the energy level remain manic. ”Gutenberg!” doesn’t make that demand, and when the actors mock, with tongue in cheek, other musicals (like, oh, “West Side Story” and “Oklahoma”) for falling apart after intermission they come dangerously close to describing their own show."

-TimesUnion.com

Kimmel and Rodriguez are clown princes who never condescend. Their Doug & Bud sing the various roles with passion, overact the drama, out-Fosse Fosse, and all with a sweet and daffy sincerity. Brilliant performances.

-Daily Gazette

Production Photos

CHICAGO, IL

June 19 - July 27, 2008

Royal George Theater

1641 N Halsted St

Chicago, IL 60614-5517

Cast: Breon Bliss as Bud

Alex Goodrich as Doug

Directed by: Alex Timbers

What's the Word?

"As Goodrich and Bliss perform their addle-brained but exuberant Bad Idea musical, you’ll find yourself enjoying its high camp and adherence to classical form. -Time Out Chicago

"On Wednesday night's opening, Bliss and Goodrich struck me as overly nervous at first. But they got more comfortable and credible later in the evening and thus the show got belatedly funnier. To a point. This is a bare-bones production of a bare-bones production. It still needs stripping down to get to the comedic truth."

- Chicago Tribune

Production Photos

FORTWORTH, TX

"In the first act, you sometimes wish you were at a real

musical. Fortunately, the second comes through with three really memorable numbers. The tunes are still pretty basic, but the execrable lyrics, rendered perfectly by the two performers, you won't forget – no matter how hard you try."

-Dallas Morning News (2008)

"What makes this all so hysterical is that Doug and Bud are as earnest as they are clueless. Their sincerity makes you want to reach for your checkbook despite the evidence the two so energetically build against their own case."

- Star Telegram

Video

Production Photos

July 11-27, 2008

July 8-26, 2009 Amphibian Stage Productions2429 Colonial ParkwayFort Worth, TX 76109Sanders TheatreFort Worth Community Arts Theatre

Cast:

Stephen Balantzian as Bud

JP Matthews as Doug

Directed by David A. Miller (2008)

What's the Word?

Photos by Aaron Fisher

NEW ORLEANS, LA

August 1-10, 2008

Fourfront Theatre Company

Southern Repertory Theatre

June 21-28, 2010

Theatre 13 Productions

Cabaret Le Chat Noir

715 St. Charles Avenue

New Orleans, LA

Cast: Sean Patterson as Bud

Gary Rucker as Doug

Directed by: Sean Patterson and Gary Rucker

What's the Word?

"While this childish concept of creating a life complete with romance and sophomoric references to the muddy mediaeval period of history when Guttenberg was alive was a good as the plot for many another more successful show, the creators with a little more imagination could have supplied much more interesting material than a running joke about thatched roofed."

-Ambush Magazine

Stop the Press

The Times-Picayune

Photos

Photos by Marc Fouchi

Video Production Photos Poster

SEATTLE, WA

September 3-27, 2008

Strawberry Theatre Workshop

Erickson Theatre

1524 Harvard Ave.

Seattle Central Community College

Seattle, WA 98122

Cast:

MJ Sieber as Bud

Troy Fischnaller as Doug

Directed by: Greg Carter

What's the Word?

"We laughed like a booze-addled hyena for much of the night, with some startled expletives thrown in when things got...strange (we can't remember the precise lyric, but it had something to do with wanting to feel Satan's horns deep inside). After, we traded memorable quotes ("dirty thatch"!) with our companion all the way home."

-Seattlest

Miscellaneous Reviews

SeattlePI.com

Seattle Weekly

Seattle Times

Video

Production Photos

Poster

Photos by Erik Stu

VANCOUVER, CANADA

September 4-14, 2008

Wide Eyed Production

Granville Island Stage

Cast:

Ken Lawson as Bud

Nathan Clark as Doug

Directed by: Brian Anderson

What's the Word?

"In this show timing is everything, and Clark and Lawson never miss a beat – or rather – know when to take a beat, and let the comedy work. A good Fringe show pulls you into its big warm bosum and smothers you with heart – these guys, along with pianist Matt Grinke (who’s awesome), ace it." -Bigsnit.com

GAINESVILLE, FL

Photo by Michael Eaddy

September 5-28, 2008

Hippodrome State Theater

25 SE 2nd Place

Gainesville, FL 32601

Cast: Jay Perry* as Bud

Kirt Bateman* as Doug

*reprising roles from Salt Lake City

Directed by: Lauren Caldwell

What's the Word?

"What makes the show work so well is the acting of Kirt Bateman as Doug and Jay Perry as Bud. The two are totally involved in their roles as creators of musical comedy. They are humble and corny, but it's the kind of innocent, heartfelt corniness that makes you want to root for them. They are so genuinely thrilled with what they've written, they barely can contain their excitement. They make us laugh at them but, at the same time, we care about them, idiot savants or foolish blockheads though they may be." - Gainesville.com

Stop the Press

Gainesville.com

Video

Production Photos

Poster

WATERTOWN, MA

October 5-26, 2008

New Repertory Theatre

321 Arsenal St.

Watertown, MA

Cast: Brendan McNab as Bud

Austin Ku as Doug

Directed by: Stephen Nachamie

What's the Word?

The world didn't exactly need "Gutenberg! The Musical." But now that we've got it, we can be grateful - especially in these grim days - for a show that just wants to make us laugh, and succeeds. -Boston Globe

"Gutenberg!" doesn’t satirize bad musicals, it just emulates them. - "EDGE Boston

Stop the Press

Boston Globe

Daily News Tribune

CORAL GABLES, FL

December 2008

Actors Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre

280 Miracle Mile

Coral Gables, Florida 33134

Cast:

Francisco (Pancho) Padura as Bud

Wayne LeGette as Doug

Directed by: David Arisco

What's the Word?

"The characters of Bud and Doug are written as goofy and lovable nerds. They tell bad jokes and perform silly choreography, but what they lack in polish and experience they compensate for with heart. True to their characters, Wayne LeGette as Doug and Francisco (Pancho) Padura as Bud sing, dance and act this show with all of their heart and talent." -Talkin' Broadway

Production Photos

HONOLULU, HI

Honolulu, HI

January 14 - February 15, 2009

Manoa Valley Theatre

2833 East Manoa Road

Honolulu, Hawaii 96822

Cast:

Tony Young as Doug

Elitei Tatafu Jr. as Bud

Directed by: Rob Duval

What's the Word?

"First and foremost, "Gutenberg" is a tour de force showcase for Young's and Tatafu's talents as actors, singers and dancers. The men are on stage for the entire 95-minute show, and they spend almost all of it in go-for-broke mode. Watching them switch from one character to another using nothing but their voices, body language, and a collection of baseball caps to distinguish one German from another is fascinating and entertaining theater."

-Star Bulletin

Photo by Malia Leinau

Production Photos Poster

AUSTRALIA

Australia

February 17-21, 2009

July 14-25, 2009

Cast: David Somerville as Bud

Simon Van Der Stap as Doug

Directed by Neil Gooding

Official Site:

Gutenberg! The Musical!

Production Photos

Poster

HAMMOND, IN

February 26-28, March 1, 5-8, 2009

Towle Community Theatre

5205 Hohman Avenue

Hammond, IN 46320

Cast: Bill Danko as Bud

Tom Farley as Doug

Directed by: John E. Buranosky

Stop the Press

"Gutenberg!" not only is the smallest show cast-wise for Danko and Farley (the duo are backed musically by Brandon Magid), it's also one of the funniest."

-NWI Times

Production Photos

STERLING HEIGHTS, MI **HIGH SCHOOL PRODUCTION** **MICHIGAN PREMIERE**

March 26-27, 2009

Warren Consolidated School of Performing Arts Little Theater

12901 Fifteen Mile Road

Sterling Heights, MI Cast: Scott Joy as Bud Grant Haralson as DougDirected by Scott Joy and Grant Haralson

What's the Word?

"We first heard about Gutenberg through one of the theatre directors at our high school. He recently attended a conference with other teachers around the state and Samuel French was there with a little stand set up for new releases. He was flipping through Gutenberg and thought the concept was hysterical so he bought it and read it. He thought that Grant and I would be great at this (we're known as the musical theatre dorks of the program, with enthusiasm similar to Bud and Doug's) and he knew that we were looking for something to put together for our black box. Well he proposed it, we read it, we loved it, and though we

hadn't seen it before we could visualize it. We decided that we'd license it and start rehearsing in a couple weeks since we were wrapping up college auditions. I played Bud and Grant played Doug and we started putting it together ourselves. We were our own directors/choreographers and really put the show together by spitballing ideas off of each other. We had a total of four or five outside music rehearsals with Stacy (our Charles) to learn the whole score. And until dress rehearsal when Stacy and our theatre director

saw it, no one had seen it. We put the show up over the course of a month. We opened, played two performances (that's the norm for our school), and it was a huge hit. When I go back to visit almost a year

later I'll still hear people humming "I Can't Read" under their breath." - Scott Joy (Bud)

SEATTLE, WA

April 15 - May 17, 2009

ArtsWest

4711 California Ave SW

Seattle, WA 98116

Cast: Chris Shea as Doug

Evan Woltz as Bud

Directed by: Stephanie Farhood

What's the Word?

"We can't remember what the filler songs "Haunted German Wood" or "Biscuits" were about, except that they were funny--mainly due to the ambitious performances of Shea and Woltz. They sweat their asses off in this under-two-hour show and do a hell of job a remembering who they are each supposed to be under those hats."

-Seattlest

Video

Production Photos

Poster

ITHACA, NY

June 10 - July 12, 2009

The Kitchen Theatre Company

116 North Cayuga Street

Ithaca, NY 14850

Cast: Karl Gregory as Bud

Tyrone Mitchell Henderson as Doug

Directed by: Rachel Lampert

What's the Word?

It's a dream cast and Lampert has staged them brilliantly - in all-out, high-energy, fast-paced mayhem (the guys sometimes wear six caps at once, switching between roles at lightning speed). Henderson embodies the noble but ill-fated Gutenberg, among other parts (like the much-abused Young Monk), and Gregory shines as the devilish Monk and a trio of Rats that honors "Avenue Q" by way of "Sesame Street."

-Ithaca Journal

Despite having very little respite, Gregory and Henderson lose no momentum through the many dance breaks and exhaustive character changes. The quality of the show and the nature of its affection toward its audience make it a splendid summer diversion and a fine conclusion to another season at the Kitchen.

-Ithaca Times

HILTON HEAD, SC

July 16-August 2, 2009

South Carolina Repertory Company

136 Beach City Road,

Hilton Head Island, SC

Cast: Jim Stark as Bud

Matt Mundy as Doug

Directed by Peggy Trecker White

Musical Direction by Janice Creech

What's the Word?

"Not too many musicals are deserving oftwoexclamation points in their titles, but “Gutenberg! The Musical!” has proved that even a musical about the life of the inventor of the printing press can be hilarious." -Beaufort Gazette

"If you are seeking comedic relief, this show will be on

stage through Aug. 2. It’s a genuine hoot and really is

just plain silly fun." -Bluffton Today

Video

Production Photos

ELLENVILLE, NY

July 17-August 9, 2009

Production Photos

Shadowland Theatre

157 Canal St.

Ellenville, NY

Cast: Matthew Hardy as Bud

Andy Rabensteine as Doug

Directed by Michael LaFleur

What's the Word?

"Michael LaFleur has directed the dynamic duowith fast pacing and comic timing. The numbers skip smoothly between witty narrative repartee. Pianist Philip Rainbow Hale keeps the keyboard scintillating and responsive to the antic tunes and lyrics."

-Times Herald Record

JACKSON, MS

September 15-27, 2009

New Stage Theatre

The Jane Reid-Petty Theatre Center

1100 Carlisle St.

Jackson, MS 39202

Cast: Danny Dauphin as Bud

Turner Crumbley as Doug

Directed by Peppy Biddy

What's the Word?

"The minimal set and props (the highlights are a couple of cardboard boxes and a stuffed cat) only serve to showcase Danny Dauphin's and Turner Crumbley's brilliant comedic timing. Normally, theatre fans would want to avoid an awkward, low-budget production, but seeing this play is more than worth the price of admission."

-Jackson Free Press

Production Photos Poster

CLEVELAND, OH

December 4, 2009 - January 2, 2010

Dobama Theater

2340 Lee Road

Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

Cast: Dane Castle as Bud

Chris Richards as Doug

Directed by Marc Moritz

What's the Word?

"...when it's all over, about 100 minutes after it commences, we're weakwith laughter and experience a rare feeling in musical-theater undertakings:We're not ready to say goodbye to good old Gutenberg. But goodbye we must say -- and thanks for all the books."

-Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Regardless of the cost, if you’re a lover of musical theater, here’s the quick verdict on Dobama Theatre’s regional premiere of Gutenberg! The Musical: See it. See it now, and maybe see it often."

-Spangle Magazine

Production Photos Poster

ST. LOUIS, MO

March 11-28-1010

Ivory Theater

7620 Michigan Ave

St. Louis, MO 63111

Cast: Steve Isom as Doug

Ben Nordstrom as Bud

Directed by Henry Palkes

What's the Word?

"As Doug and Bud, the Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of musical theater, Steve Isom and Ben Nordstrom are a constant delight" - River Front Times

"They're both sharp when it comes to the witty dances choreographed by Ellen Isom, Steve Isom's wife. A Tyrolean number with lots of foot-slapping looks close to plausible, and their brief homage to "A Chorus Line" is too funny for words." - St. Louis Today

Production Photos

TUCSON, AZ

March 25 - April 4, 2010

Cabaret Space, Temple of Music and Art

330 S. Scott Ave.

Tucson, AZ 85701

Cast: Jacob Brown as Bud

Jay C. Cotner as Doug

Directed by Annette Hillman

What's the Word?

Gutenberg! The Musical! knows exactly what it is—and isn't. Totally true to its creators' intentions, it is wacky, sweet, creative and silly. It's about as far from "serious"

theater as you can get; it's seriously funny."

- Tuscon Weekly

Stop the Press

Arizona Daily Star

Production Photos

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

June 10-26, 2010

Beards Beards Beards

The Exit Stage Left

156 Eddy St.

San Francisco, CA 94102

Cast: Joey Price as Bud

Austin Ferris as Doug

Directed by Amanda Dolan

What's the Word?

"...suffice it to say, this thing is funny, and it will make an impression on you (with a printing press, get it?!)."

-San Francisco Bay Guardian

June 10-12, 2010

HUB-BUB at The Showroom

200 East St. John Street

Spartanburg, SC, 29306

Cast: Jay Coffman

Matt Giles

Directed by Jay Coffman and Matt Giles

What's the Word?

"What do you get when you add two guys, two dozen baseball caps, two cardboard boxes, a stuffed cat and a few more odds and ends? One hilarious musical comedy show!"

-GoUpstate.com

"As the show came to a close, the final song saw Bud and Doug declaring that “though the emptiness within us may be deep – we eat dreams.” I found this to be an interesting reflection on Broadway in general, a warning almost. Playwrights and musicians must beware of creating empty characters that seek to do nothing but promote themselves and their empty lives by “eating dreams” and then defecating them onto the stage. It seemed a grave message for such a silly show, but maybe that’s what I enjoyed about it." -Spartanburg Spark

Production Photos

Vancouver, CANADA

September 22 - October 9, 2010

Presentation House Theater

333 Chesterfield Avenue

North Vancouver, BC

V7M 3G9

Cast: Toby Berner as Bud

Nathan Clark as Doug

Directed by Brian Anderson

What's the Word?

"Gutenberg! The Musical! is silly. It might send you googling to get the real Johann Gutenberg factoids, slim as they are, and you'll go a long way to beat a song that includes, "Gutenberg/darn tootin'berg."

-Vancouver Courier

"Go play inside. As the season changes, Gutenberg! The Musical! is an excellent reminder of the fun to be had indoors."

- Straight.com

Production Photos

SIOUX CITY, IA

October 21 - November 6, 2010

Lamb Theater

417 Market Street

Sioux City, IA

Cast: Reed Saunders as Bud

Luke Saunders as Doug

Directed by Russ Wooley

What's the Word?

Who knew a musical about the inventor of the printing press could be comical?

-Siouxland