Regional Reviews: Florida - West Coast Gutenberg! The Musical! Also see Bill's review of I'm a Stranger Here Myself
Here, Matthew is partnered by Joey Panek, a well known media personality about town, who only has to flash his toothy smile for audiences to love him. He is a fine singer-dancer and completely holds his own. Matthew and Joey have history together dating back a decade to an all-male production of Nunsense, and the chemistry shows. Joey plays the material fairly straight and Matt is, as always, an unstoppable force of comic mayhem. He has performed in Sondheim's The Frogs but not in the leading role; I would love to see him as Dionysus, or as Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. The reason to see Gutenberg! The Musical! is for the wonderful performances by its cast. Steven Flaa has a rich history with American Stage, both at the Raymond James Theater and In the Park. This production continues his fine workeverything is lively but kept from spinning out of control. Flaa makes excellent use of the multiple playing spaces in the scenic design of Jerid Fox, who is credited for costume and property design as well. The excellent music direction is by Phillip King who puts up with being forced to wear one of the blue and white baseball caps that are an integral part of the show. Audiences looking for a couple of hours of laughs need look no further than Gutenberg! The Musical! at American Stage. Gutenberg! The Musical! at American Stage Theatre Company, through April 5, 2015, 163 Third Street North, St. Petersburg. For more information, visit www.americanstage.org. Cast (in order of appearance): Doug Simon: Matthew McGee* Direction: Steven Flaa; Music Direction: Phillip King: Scenic, Costume and Property Design: Jerid Fox; Lighting Design: Chris Baldwin; Production Stage Manager: Steven M. Ray, Jr.*
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