Considering they just staged Oedipus For Kids (“introducing Sophocles’ bloody tragedy to children”), Gutenberg! The Musical! is not too far-fetched for the New York Musical Theatre Festival. I kid you not.
Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1450, so Bud Davenport and Doug Simon wrote a musical about him and they’re bringing it to Broadway. They don’t have a cast, a budget, or a producer . . . but they have a dream! And it makes perfect entertainment for the entire family even if some of them are illiterate.
Gutenberg! The Musical! is Bud and Doug’s backers’ audition: a tuneful, tasteless triumph, celebrating the monstrous success of their idiocy. Shown in development at NYMF 2005, and following a limited West End run at the Jermyn Street Theatre, NYMF 2006 presents the first American production of the epic two-act extravaganza [at Sage Theatre starting Friday, Sept. 22nd]
While Michael Hart of Project Gutenberg finds this show fascinating, hilarious, educational etc. I vacillate between “Oooh, can’t wait to memorize the soundtrack!” and “Why must everything now be reduced to Bread And Circuses?” It’s only funny when you get it, you see.
