By Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media
The printed word may go back as far the Moses and the Ten Commandments but the mass production of the printed word was invented centuries later in the early 1450s by Johannes Gutenberg, a German goldsmith, printer and publisher. Gutenberg invented the mechanical moveable type printing press. His invention started the Printing Revolution. His first major work was the Gutenberg Bible.. It was the first time European books were printed using moveable type.
So how is a theatre play about Johannes Gutenberg supposed to translate into a successful Broadway play? Good question. Maybe, not such a good idea. But playwrights , Bud, Brett Ambler, and Doug, Bryce Baxter, think it is, so with every penny they have they set about to write, produce and stage the play. They rent a theatre for only one night and they can’t afford any other actors so they must find a way to to represent them on stage. With an unending supply of energy the duo sing all the songs and play all the parts in their crass historical epic, with the hope that one of the producers in attendance will give them that elusive Broadway contract.
Written by Scott Brown and Anthony King, Directed by Alex Rodney Lizcano, Gutenberg is now playing at the Garner Galleria Theatre at the DCPA through May 4, 2025. This play is hilarious throughout the two hour production but there is also lots of fascinating as the pair take us through a variety of characters represented by numerous hats emblazoned with that characters role. The result is one laugh after another. It is fascinating watching these guys transform into so many characters and back again in the blink of an eye.
The music is performed live a two guys who say they are from a local wedding band. They turn out to be very good and keep the play moving filling in any awkward moments.
It is easy to see why Gutenberg received a 2024 Tony Award nomination for Best Musical Revival. If the standing ovation at the end of production is any indication of the plays appeal, Gutenberg is sure to write its own success story here in Denver.
Garner Galleria Theatre through May 4, 2025
MAP
lay they are debuting for an audience they believe has Broadway producers in the house.
They have spent their last dime on renting out an old theatre,
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