'Gutenberg!' comedy returns to Plan-B

Every now and then, a musical comes along that is quirky enough to break through the clutter, charming enough to get you talking and memorable enough that you want to see it — again and again.

Such is the case with "Gutenberg! The Musical!"

The summer series "Musicals on Main," a partnership between Plan-B Theatre Company and The Egyptian Theatre in Park City, will see the return of this wildly popular musical comedy, starring Kirt Bateman and Jay Perry.

"Gutenberg was the longest running show in Plan-B history," said Plan–B producing director Jerry Rapier, who also directs the show.

"It ran for seven weeks in 2007. We've had a lot of requests to bring it back. And Kirt and Jay have said, 'Anytime you want to do it again, we're ready.' This partnership with The Egyptian made it possible."

"It's really about as silly as a show can be," Rapier said. "The basic premise is that Bud (Perry) and Doug (Bateman) are two incredibly enthusiastic would-be Broadway composers who have written a show called "Gutenberg! The Musical!" that they really think is Broadway-bound."

The two men are presenting their musical to prospective Broadway producers. "From the beginning, they tell us how the evening is going to go and there are only two of them playing all the roles. So they wear these hats so we can tell who they are playing. It's really a hoot," Rapier said.

After seeing "Gutenberg!" in New York, Rapier was "determined" to bring it to Plan-B. "I knew it had to be Kirt and Jay," he said. "The trick with the show is that it's so dependent on two actors who can be unselfishly funny; that's not very common."

"Their comic styles are so different from each other, and they're so complementary — it's exactly what the show requires."

"These two are nonstop," he said. "It takes a different kind of stamina. They literally have times when they think they're going to pass out — they're not sure how they're breathing. It's part marathon, part sprint and that's part of the fun."

Rapier also thinks audiences have taken to the show because of its broad appeal. "It's the most guy-friendly musical I've ever seen," he said. "You don't normally talk about guy-humor and musicals in the same breath. But it's got a little something for everyone."

"People are excited and there are a lot of people who wanted it just because it's different for us so it stands out a little bit," Rapier said. "We do such socially conscious theater, that we all need a break every once in a while. And this is light, silly, meaningless fun."

"Bud and Doug truly think they've written the best show that's ever been written. And you can't help but cheer for them. You want them to succeed, whether or not they should."

If You Go

'Gutenberg! The Musical'

Where: The Egyptian Theatre, 328 S. Main

When: June 3-19, times vary

How much: $15-$25

Phone: 435-649-9371

Web: www.planbtheatre.org or http://www.egyptiantheatrecompany.org/

Email: features@desnews.com