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Gutenberg! The
Musical!
Presented by:
Neil Gooding Productions, Ian Stenlake and James Millar
Venue:
Chapel Off Chapel
Reviewer:
Simon Parris
Date
Reviewed:
21st March 2009
As comedic as it sounds to have two guys doing a
backer’s audition for a musical they wrote together, the scenario is
probably not all that far from what Richard Lopez and Jeff Marx, for
example, would have gone through for ‘Avenue Q’. David Harris and
James Millar play two fairly adorable guys, Bud and Doug, selling
the audience their new, fingers-crossed-hopefully-it’s-a-hit musical
on the life of Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press
and all round nice guy.
The show succeeds on many levels, not the least of
which is the endearing qualities of the two stars who prove they
have the comedic chops to handle all manner of physical comedy and
an array of zany accents. Millar is fine voice and maintains a
maniacal twinkle in his eye as the obsessed Doug. Harris reveals
comedic skills heretofore unseen and is a bundle of energy in Bud’s
many roles. His sinister Evil Monk, complete with (deliberately)
offensive Asian accent and cracking neck, is a hoot.
Another attraction is the show itself. The script
is like musical comedy 101, with the formulaic nature of many hit
shows laid bare as Bud and Doug explain terms like the ‘I want’
song, the charm song, foreshadowing
(which will be explained later in the review) and the 11 o’clock
number. The story of Gutenberg and the townsfolk of Schlimmer is
over the top but actually has quite a fully realised plot which can
be followed through to its dramatic climax. Rounding out the
emotional impact of the ending is the front story of Bud and Doug’s
relationship, which is teased out in snippets throughout the show.
Director Neil Gooding keeps the action and comedy
crackling, with the multitude of characters made clear not just by
the labeled hats but also by distinctive accents and physical
interpretations. Scenes where several characters are represented at
once are particularly funny. Nathan M. Wright’s choreography
cleverly plays off the fact that the authors aren’t particularly
strong dancers so they perform clichéd steps and sometimes have to
count their timing out loud. Musical Director Bev Kennedy provides
graceful accompaniment on the grand piano.
Gutenberg! The Musical! is a charming and
thoroughly entertaining treat. Catch it if you can.
Final note: Stonnington Council or management of Chapel Off Chapel
must do something about the hideous ventilation of the theatre. The
high temperature was unbearable yet again for performers and
audience alike. I will not be back there unless it is the dead of
winter during a blizzard.
Simon has
appeared in about 40 productions over the past thirty years. Recent
roles include Uncle Henry/Guard of the Gate in The Wizard of Oz
(Catchment) and Eugene Fodor in Crazy for You (Whitehorse). Other
favourite roles include Mr Fox in Mack and Mabel, Max in The Sound
of Music, Freddy in My Fair Lady, Julio in Paint Your Wagon,
Marcellus in The Music Man and Grantaire in Les Miserables.
Simon has
directed several school productions. Recently he choreographed
Urinetown and Little Shop of Horrors for St Michael’s Grammar
School. He is currently directing Hot Mikado for St Michael’s, to be
staged at the Athenaeum Theatre in May.
Simon has served
on the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria Committee for five years, and
is currently Treasurer. He is also a keen audience member, having
seen over 50 shows in five weeks on a recent trip to New York and
London.
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