Photos by Ryan C. Lloyd | RYLO Media Design
Some shows make you laugh, and others make you cry with laughter.
SLO Repertory Theatre’s production of Gutenberg! The Musical!, written by Anthony King and Scott Brown and directed by Lawrence Lesher, does both. It’s an energetic, fast-paced comedy that knows how ridiculous it is.
From the beginning, Lesher and his actors embrace its chaos. The story follows two aspiring musical writers who are determined to take their homemade show to Broadway. It’s filled with hilarious performances, memorable musical numbers, and constant audience interaction. I left the show wanting to go back and watch it again.
Doug (Jeff Salsbury) and Bud (Toby Tropper) are best friends who have created a musical about Johannes Gutenberg set in 1450. They are hoping to impress a big Broadway producer who is in the audience. Both actors are equally hilarious, and each brings his own personality to his character(s).
In the program, Salsbury and Tropper mention that they are friends in real life, and that friendship is apparent in their onstage chemistry. Their interactions feel natural, which makes watching them very entertaining.
The characters Doug and Bud also create memorable characters from their musical, and both Tropper and Salsbury commit fully to every character they play, making even the simplest jokes work. Both actors are onstage nonstop, with just the two of them carrying the show, and they manage to keep the energy up the entire time.
It’s intentionally chaotic, and that is what makes the show work so well. Doug and Bud use blue and yellow hats to show which characters they are playing from their musical. Watching them switch between roles is funny on its own, but it’s even better when you see how proud they are of their creative choices.
Some of the funniest bits come when Doug and Bud attempt to convince us that their musical is Broadway-worthy. Their idea of professionalism is hilarious, especially because they take everything they do so seriously.
The audience plays a huge part here. The actors talk to us throughout the entire performance, almost as if they are teaching a class on how to make a musical. They explain different musical theatre terms and show us how musicals are put together, all while presenting their own questionable version of one.
Every interaction makes us feel included. Favorite moments include Doug and Bud seeming to go “off script,” adding to the chaos and making the performance even more fun to watch.
At one point Bud plays a monk, and the way Tropper uses his voice and gives God the middle finger is perfection. Supposedly a villain, the character is so silly and unscary that it is hard to take him seriously.
The songs are entertaining as well. Under the musical direction of Tom Griffin, numbers like “What’s the Word” have the entire audience, myself included, crying with laughter. The lyrics are something you really just have to experience yourself. “Haunted German Wood” and “Second Prologue” also are great songs that keep the show moving and satisfying.
Everything in this production feels like it belongs in Doug and Bud’s homemade showcase. Costumes designed by Reneé Van Niel are simple and feel true to the pair and the kind of production they are trying to create. The set by Dave Linfield adds to the feeling that it all has been put together by the characters themselves.
Gutenberg! The Musical! knows how to keep its audience entertained. The chemistry between Tropper and Salsbury, the ridiculous characters, the songs, and the constant audience interaction all make the show work.
On opening night I overheard an audience member say “this is a blast,” and I could not agree more.