Theater Review: It's all in the performances in 'Gutenberg! The Musical' at American Stage

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ST. PETERSBURG -- Bud and Doug believe they have come up with the greatest idea for the next Broadway smash, a musical about Johann Gutenberg, the German inventor of the printing press. The audience might beg to differ, but it's a lot of fun watching them try their hardest in "Gutenberg! The Musical" at American Stage.

Matthew McGee, left, and Joey Panek plays writers seeking backers for their new show "Gutenberg, the Musical" at American Stage. Chad Jacobs photo/Provided by American Stage

Matthew McGee, left, and Joey Panek plays writers seeking backers for their new show "Gutenberg, the Musical" at American Stage. Chad Jacobs photo/Provided by American Stage

The show by Scott Brown and Anthony King is actually presented as a reading for an audience full of potential Broadway producers, with Bud (the composer) and Doug (the book writer) playing all the roles, frequently switching characters by changing baseball cats with the names or descriptions of the people who factor into their story, and their posture and accents. They are performing on a mostly bare stage, with a few platforms, some saw horses and a contraption that serves as both a wine press (Gutenberg's apparent original profession) and later as the first printing press.

Even as you are bemoaning the off-beat melodies, misguided and mismatched lyrics and a story that delves into devil worship and grape stomping, you can't help but fall for Joey Panek as Bud and Matthew McGee as Doug. They're both smart performers who know how to measure a beat for laughs, and either slow down and speed up as needed.

They're working under the direction of Steven Flaa, who, like McGee, has some experience with this kind of show. "Gutenberg!" is similar in idea and spirit to "The Big Bang," in which the creators of a musical about the history of the world and intended to be the biggest and longest musical ever staged on Broadway, present their material at a backer's audition in a friend's apartment.

"Gutenberg!" isn't always as inventive, nor is the story as catchy, because while we know at least basic facts about world history, we probably don't know much about Gutenberg, other than his printing the first Bible. Of course, the less we know, the better for Doug and Bud, who are counting on our ignorance to pass off their story about Gutenberg trying to transform the world by helping people to read (which is mentioned more than a dozen times throughout the show).

Joey Panek, left, and Matthew McGee play the creators of "Gutenberg, the Musical" who are trying to raise money for a big splashy production in the show being produced by American Stage. Chad Jacobs photo/Provided by American Stage

Joey Panek, left, and Matthew McGee play the creators of "Gutenberg, the Musical" who are trying to raise money for a big splashy production in the show being produced by American Stage. Chad Jacobs photo/Provided by American Stage

The plot line is thin and includes a devilish Monk who coerces Helvetica (Gutenberg's assistant and possible girlfriend) to destroy the printing press before it can even be used because he fears a little education could destroy his plans for power and influence in their small German village.

But you can ignore the plot while enjoying watching McGee and Panek running about the stage, changing hats, setting the scene and explaining some of the basic elements of musical theater, from character development to charm songs and "I want" songs.

McGee is a master at milking a laugh, such as the way he pretends to get an imaginary biscuit stuck in his mouth, and Panek is enough of an improviser to keep up with them.

The performers were accompanied Saturday night by Justin Havard, a last-minute substitute for musical director Philip King, but even though Havard came on board with only about an hour's notice for Friday's opening night performance, he provides seamless and playful accompaniment on an electronic keyboard.

It's all a lot of silliness, that works better at some moments than others. At one point, Bud and Doug start dreaming about what will happen when one of those big Broadway producers takes their show to the Great White Way. Doug will quit his job at a nursing home and Bud plans to quit his job as a Starbucks barista. If "Gutenberg! The Musical" actually makes it to Broadway, I might have to quit my job, too, but I'd certainly keep an eye out for these two fun performers.

THEATER REVIEW
GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL
By Scott Brown and Anthony King. Directed by Steven Flaa. Reviewed March 14, American Stage, 163 3rd  St., N., St. Petersburg. Through April 5. For more information: (727) 823-7529; americanstage.org

THEATER REVIEW
GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL
By Scott Brown and Anthony King. Directed by Steven Flaa. Reviewed March 14, American Stage, 163 3rd St., N., St. Petersburg. Through April 5. For more information: (727) 823-7529; americanstage.org
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Jay Handelman

Jay Handelman is the theater and television critic for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, where he has worked since 1984. He also is President of the Foundation of the American Theatre Critics Association and a two-time past chairman of the association's executive committee. He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4931. Follow him at @jayhandelman on Twitter. Make sure to "Like" Arts Sarasota on Facebook for news and reviews of the arts.
Last modified: March 15, 2015
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