★★★★ REVIEW: Gutenberg (Broadway) | comedy musical starring Josh Gad, Andrew Rannells

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OHMYGOD HEY!
During my Broadway trip, I caught the latest opening in New York: Gutenberg the Musical at the James Earl Jones Theatre - a comedy starring original 'The Book of Mormon' stars Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells.
Check out today's brand new video review for my full thoughts about this show...
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00:00 | introduction
02:06 | what is Gutenberg the musical?
06:31 | how is this production?
13:57 | who would enjoy this show?
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#broadway #musical #theatre

[@XxMissZodiacxX]

It cured every depression I EVER suffered when Andrew and Josh got on that stage- IMO the show was PERFECT

[@raymonddigiacomo3072]

I saw Gutenberg! The Musical! tonight (12-7), really enjoyed it. These two guys are the hardest working actors on Broadway, they're in perpetual movement, never stopping for a moment. Gad esp. is a whirling dervish of comic genius, the natural successor to Robin Williams. It's very enjoyable!

[@raymonddigiacomo3072]

I know this is off-topic, but you're one of my fav. theater pundits & so I'd like to make a request: Shucked is closing Jan 14; Some Like It Hot is closing Dec 30. And in this weekend's Washington Post, there's an article about how Here Lies Love is struggling at the box office. All these shows are critically acclaimed & loved by audiences. But the costs of running a show (particularly musicals) on Broadway is astronomical, & so tkt prices are only affordable by millionaires or tourists who save up all year to see shows on vacation; the average person is basically priced-out. You should do one of your deep-dive video into why this is, & how things can change to keep great work running so everyone can afford/has a chance to see it. Thanks!

[@edgarfranceschi8338]

Great idea!

[@caitmcliam6184]

Agree! When I was a struggling student working my way through college in NYC in the 1970s, I could get discount tickets at TKTS fof $5 (including tickets in the orchestra and for hit shows. Unlike today - TKTS only gets tickets to 2nd tier shows and then only for the cheaper seats). Minimum wage was $2.35 in the late 1970s. So for two+ hours of work we could see a play. At one point, I had seen every show on Broadway. Minimum wage in NY is now $15. So why aren't tickets $30? I now earn far more than my student days and can only afford to see one or two shows a year. Talking to B'way actors, the $$ all goes to the investors. Why aren't the working classes, poor, disabled, and even lower middle class NOT entitled to entertainment? (same for concert tickets, sporting events, movies, streaming services, etc. - greed has taken over)

[@Kristine_202]

I have to disagree a little bit. You're right that ticket prices are insane and I think a lot of that has to do with all the money that was lost during COVID. But you named three shows that....Just weren't very good. 🤷‍♀ I predicted all of them closing early when they were first announced. (Although Neil Diamond and "& Juliet" are still around, so my predictions aren't always correct. I also thought "New York, New York" was going to be a smash and...Nope!) I don't think these shows are closing because people are priced out, I think they're closing because not enough people want to see them. I'm not a millionaire or a tourist and I see 2-3 shows a month, but I go to the ones that I really want to see. (And I often see shows over and over again.) I hear about some of these shows that are coming up and think, "That's gonna flop. I'm not wasting my money." I love Huey Lewis, but we don't need a Huey Lewis musical. 🤦‍♀Your best bet right now is to do a Sondheim remake with a popular cast. You're going to sell out every night and make a ton of money. (See: "Into the Woods.") We don't need more jukebox musicals. We don't need more David Byrne. We don't need more musicals that stepped right out of the 1950's. If it's gonna be new...It has to be different. (But not TOO different, Mr. Byrne.) I respect the art. Just because I don't like it doesn't mean it's bad, but I think I'm explaining why they're all closing. I haven't really been impressed with a new musical in awhile. (Unless you consider "Gutenberg" new.) The revivals DOMINATED the last few seasons. What's coming up next? "The Outsiders?" "The Notebook?" Both great movies (and books), but I'm not interested in either of those. I did see "The Great Gatsby" at the Papermill and that was incredible, but a big part of that is Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada. Dear God, they're both amazing! Clearly, the revivals dominated in 2022 and 2023, and I think it will be the same in 2024. "Cabaret" with Eddie Redmayne?! Come on! That's going to be huge. And if "Once Upon a Mattress" with Sutton transfers, that'll be a hit. (Lea Michele also hinted at a revival of something, but she wouldn't say more.) Even putting Darren Criss in "Little Shop" was a genius move: Beloved revival with a Broadway "IT" guy...That's the recipe for success. I gave "Days of Wine & Roses" a chance and it was....Meh. I'm surprised it got a transfer. (Kelli and Brian were incredible though.) I have tix to Jason Robert Brown's new off-Broadway show because I'll watch anything by JRB, but I'm nervous. They're not all going to be "Parade." The only shows that are closing/closed that I'm bummed about are the ones that were limited runs anyway.

[@user-oz9cu2vi6s]

I saw this last week & had no idea what to expect. Loved every minute of it! Their friendship & affection for each other made this such a joy to watch! I feel honored to have been able to witness this.

[@pamm9439]

Thank you for reviewing this show. I was undecided what I wanted to see yesterday on my last day home (I am originally from Jersey), remembered you had seen this show, and watched your review. Went into the city and snagged a partial view seat (just couldn’t see the band, no biggie) and laughed the entire 2 hrs. My surprise producer was BILLY CRYSTAL🤯. Just wanted to share and say how much I appreciate your insight. Hope you and Aaron have a fabulous new years and excited to hear more about theatre from you in 2024🎉

[@KimberlyWatson-vd5wl]

I saw the show 2 weeks ago. I agree with you Mickey Jo. Andrew & Josh are what make this show work. It’s a fun night of theater and while I didn’t leave the theater humming the tunes, I did leave smiling.

[@Redstomp]

Now my dream is that you go see and review a StarKid show some day. :D

[@bizbethj]

I went to opening night with my mom, and we absolutely loved it. The story reminded us of Something Rotten! which we also loved when we saw it on tour a few years ago. The comedy was so good and delivered perfectly by Rannells and Gad (who we are big fans of). The whole vibe of the audience was great, and we were a sort of character in the show, which was fun. We love immersive elements. There was a great moment towards the end where Doug and Bud were imagining what opening night of their musical would be like, which got a roaring applause bc it was actually opening night. The "producer" for our show was Nathan Lane, which was also exciting since it was a direct reference to his role in The Producers. I would give the show 4.5 stars. I can't quite give it a full 5 stars bc there were a few instances where the audience was laughing at a joke and before it quieted down there was a another joke and it was hard to hear but other than that it was nearly perfect and a fantastic experience. Also, the James Earl Jones theater is so nice (even with all those stairs), the staff was lovely, and the Darth Mufasa theme of the opening announcement was so cute.

[@edwardlupella6758]

I worked for a regional theater in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that did it in 2012, and to this day a friend of mine and I still say “THE ROOF WAS MADE OF DIRTY THATCH”

[@aaronodriscoll1239]

the way josh had essentially just said “can i say something” had me and my friend laughing our asses off he’s is brilliant

[@kathywilliamson4258]

Totally agree with your review. I saw it 2 weeks ago and thought it was hilarious. I wanted to see Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells together and they didn’t disappoint. Josh broke more than once and made it even more memorable.

[@JonoBono6]

Just out of curiosity, are we ever going to get Broadway vlogs for this trip? I loved the ones on the last trip and was hoping to see as much New York content as possible this time around

[@michaelgalvin26]

I know Aaron is filming vlogs from this trip but idk if Mickey Jo was planning on doing vlogs as well.

[@amandastumpff5252]

First vlog was out 2 days ago :)

[@auntieashcraft]

I saw Gutenberg this past weekend and cry laughed the entire time. This show would not be as hilarious with anyone other than the Josh Gad / Andrew Rannells duo. They're so... so so so good.

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

I like that they took Hal Prince's idea for the original run of Merrily where everyone's names/occupations were on their shirts or hats, and applied it to this show. 😂 Not sure if it was intentional, but that's the first thing I thought of when I heard it being described.

[@raymonddigiacomo3072]

I attend a lot of shows, but haven't pursued getting a tkt to Gutenberg because nothing I've heard or read about it really gave me a clue what it's about lol Your take on it now has me intrigued me enough to try and see it. As always, thanks for a great video.

[@waffle._.bubbles]

I was talking to my mom about this show, and she said that she watched this show over a decade ago when it was in Utah. She couldn't remember the name until I brought it up, but she liked it. She thought it was really funny. She's not a musical theatre fan, so that's definitely a compliment.

[@carrielynnmiller]

Saw Gutenberg this past weekend and agree with your review! I think the actors totally make this show and I can't imagine it succeeding without them (like on national US tour for example), but it was funny and very heartwarming at the end. I was not expecting the "end surprises" at all which made it even better :D I'm glad I got to see it.

[@thomspillman7859]

Love that you bought the hat!

[@DisneyDahling]

I went to it last month and when I got asked how it was, I answered "If you know who Andrew and Josh are you will have a good time, otherwise you will probably not get the hype". I payed for Andrew and Josh being funny on stage and I got what I want! Wish the songs were more memorable but I feel very fortunate to have seen this live.

[@wobloms]

Love rannells and starkid vibes this is really a match made in heaven!! I'm from the uk and this will be my first time ever going to America to see this show!!!

[@veepexplorer]

I was very pleasantly surprised by this one. I booked it for our first night because I thought my family would enjoy it. Within the first five minutes I was absolutely delighted with their performances. I completely agree that this show is great because of Josh and Andrew. They absolutely elevate the show.

[@laurenazevedo-grondona6789]

Saw it and recommend it, our producer was an 80’s pop star, Debbie Gibson-would have loved to see Nathan Lane. Your review was spot on. Good job. I am a new subscriber 👍🏻

[@danaw691]

Completely agree! I think this review is spot on (although I don’t think it needs more Broadway references) but it truly is hilarious. The talent of these two makes me want to see it again! They are so quick btw the humor, different characters they switch btw and the physicality both roles demand. The set design is very creative and like you say, their stage awareness, warmth and bond makes this a must-see. It may bear some resemblance on the outside of a ‘show within a show’ to others…but it really is unique and the laughs just keep coming!!

[@thomspillman7859]

I loved this show. It was silly, heartfelt, and just a good old time.

[@wowowo9522]

I really wish they would record this one

[@olive6679]

I want to see this. I hope it gets extended.

[@kakarikiyazoo]

I saw it when I was in New York last week. Pretty much my same feelings about it. The performances really make it. The show is a silly send up of the process of creating a musical if it was being done by writers with misguided talents. Thus the actual music and songs are not memorable or particularly clever; they just serve a function. So I would say this is a wonderfully performed comedic play that uses music; not really a musical. And don't get me started on categorizing Here We Are.

[@johnwm7039]

Sounds like a twist on the movie, ‘Big Night., with Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub, but this time in a theatre rather than a restaurant.

[@schketchy]

Some of the best moments in the show in my opinion are when you can tell they're trying to make each other break 😂their improv is hysterical

[@user-ot2ec4yo6n]

What a great show! A MUST see!

[@gcupton]

Love the hat!

[@elh93]

I saw it an loved it, really just fun, which based on a lot of what I've seen recently I needed. This show really needs a strong comedic duo and wouldn't work well recorded, a lot of it is about the experience of being in the room with two great comedians. However, you didn't mention who your producer was, mine was amazing.

[@katstreats]

Everyone in my college theater was a huge fan of Guttenberg! Twi friends eveen perforrmed it illegally lol. Interested to see a Broadway version!

[@clowchan]

I need to see it again because the day I saw it Josh's understudy, Russell Daniels, was on (he was hilarious!) I actually met someone who didn't like this show so they do exist ;;

[@emmapuds13]

I've been following this show on social media (can't travel to NY to see it!) and I was wondering how does the guest producer every night work? Do they just bring a special guest on stage at the end or?

[@cinnabard955]

I saw the show a couple weeks ago, and the guest producer was sitting next to me across the aisle, what they do is they just sneak them in during intermission, and make the seat they sit on unavailable for purchase.

[@gstone8255]

The Swedish city Göteborg ? That’s where i saw Wicked 😄

[@kelseytrombley1211]

Didn’t know you had seen the Starkid shows! Do you have a particular favorite?

[@bradwatson1048]

If they get a big Tony nomination, I bet it will be as Best Musical - not Revival. "Me and My Girl" had been around since 1937, and was up for a Best Musical Tony in (wait for it... literally) 1987. That said, for anyone (say, me) who has ever been drafted to do a staged reading of a New Musical for an up-and-coming creator, the premise is comedy gold.

[@bradford9201]

Saw it last night and only having time for 1 show I'm glad this is the one I saw before I head back to WARM weather! PS. Both Josh and Andrew were wonderful...but sometimes Josh reminded me of Oogie Boogie...lol

[@user-ql9di3ht5t]

I agree that Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells basically carry this show. I got tired of the gimmicky nature of the "bad show by sincere characters" by the second act. Songs that are supposed to be "bad" eventually just get tiresome rather than funny. But Gad and Rannells are just so charming together, they make up for a lot by sheer adorableness.

[@krose4694]

Would you ever be interested in making a video/videos talking about the Starkid shows? I heard you mention Starkid in the video and it would be cool if you could share your specific thoughts on them. ❤

[@atuljoshi1990]

I agree w/ your analysis. I feel this would have been improved by (1) adding a female character as a third player they could work off of for some of the characters (and they could still also gender swap some of the characters...this time both ways), and (2) maybe replacing some of the hats w/ actual props (masks ... actual rat puppets...etc.)..and maybe 1 fourth "backstage" person who is put upon and trying to make the rats etc. work.

[@njatty]

I saw it in 2007 off-Broadway at the now closed Actor's Playhouse. I saw the replacement cast. I had a comp ticket. I left at intermission. I thought the show was stupid and a waste of time.

[@dylansmith1833]

This was an interesting show but I didn’t quite care for it. Don’t get me wrong, Gad and Rannells are hilarious together but this just isn’t the show they were meant to be starring in together.

[@agalo3631]

You can definitely tell they’re just two best friend theater dorks doing a show together, but I liked it. It was fun to see their fun

[@dukeofrodtown1705]

I personally haven't seen this, but I really agree with you. Because the man, the myth, the legend Nathan Lane was recently at a performance of this in part, the two of them should star in a revival of 'The Producers' or 'Guys and Dolls' IMHO. Gutenberg does hinge on them both, TBF!

[@dylansmith1833]

@@agalo3631 yes, there were fun parts but the entire show was dull and boring. I really would like to see Gad and Rannells do their own thing on Broadway! That I’ll rush to see!!

[@shejean]

Hubby and I seeing this in two weeks. Hopes it’s better than these reviews! 🤞🏻🥴 We saw the two of them in the original Book Of Mormon! That was incredible!!!

[@dylansmith1833]

@@shejean don’t expect much. I did not care for it. Gad and Rannells are funny as hell but this show prohibits them from letting all of their comedic stuff out!

[@reneekuci3589]

It wa fabulous and Kristen Bell showed up at the end! My mouth hurt from laughing!

[@michaeladkins6]

So, nothing to do with actor Steve Guttenberg?

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

Ngl I thought that's what it was going to be about. 😂

[@susanpolastaples9688]

Why do I imagine Max Bielestock entering at the end and granting their wish for a longer Broadway run? Or have I seen the Producers too many times?

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

THAT HAPPENED AT OPENING NIGHT! They had Nathan Lane come onstage at the end as Max (it's been a guest spot for other celebs)

[@susanpolastaples9688]

@@MickeyJoTheatre thanks for the reply. Hope all is OK

[@Showtunediva]

@@MickeyJoTheatre That is amazing. Great review.❤

[@colebeck6528]

My only gripe with the show is it is a bit similar to title of show and isn’t as good but still really funny

[@ccuda480]

It needs a second act because Broadway shows have a second act.

[@applestopears133]

Did u hear shucked is gonna close?

[@shejean]

Hubby and I loved Shucked! Alex Newell is a revelation!! The show needs to move out of the Nederlander Theatre to make room for another show. They’re not shutting the show down. Shucked Producers are looking for another theatre.

[@raymonddigiacomo3072]

So is Some Like It Hot. Both are great shows. The costs to keep shows running on Broadway (esp. musicals) is just ridiculous. It seems - w. the exception of phenomenons like Lion King, Wicked or Hamilton (which come along maybe once in a decade) - shows need movie or TV stars to succeed. It's a shame.

[@shejean]

@@raymonddigiacomo3072 We looooooved Some Like It Hot, too! Everything about it was perfection!

[@Showtunediva]

I have heard that Shucked is going on National Tour and I can’t wait to see it in Boston.❤