Josh Gad & Andrew Rannells to star in GUTENBERG! THE (BEST) MUSICAL (EVER) On Broadway

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Josh-Gad-Andrew-Rannells-Were-Hoping-to-Bring-GUTENBERG-THE-MUSICAL-to-Broadway-20210715?fbclid=IwAR3rcSZR0bMW7roJGyT0mn1iVTbDwZm7UTbeyZhO5T-e68xF9a-rBYO-Iew

In a recent interview with Variety, stage and screen star Josh Gad revealed that he was hoping to return to Broadway in Gutenberg! The Musical! before plans were put on hold because of the pandemic. Gad was workshopping the musical in Los Angeles with his The Book of Mormon co-star Andrew Rannells.

The two have also reportedly considered leading a revival of The Producers.

Gutenberg! The Musical! is a musical written by Scott Brown and Anthony King. Brown and King developed the show at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City, where it ran for over a year. The production was directed by Alex Timbers with music directed by T.O. Sterrett and starred Christopher Fitzgerald and Jeremy Shamos.

Updated On: 6/22/23 at 01:32 PM

Double yes!

There were many things I hated about the last administration. Among those, I included the fact that The Producers was no longer funny. (And I say this as someone who likes The Producers)

I think Broderick and Lane actually did a sketch to that effect right around the time of the 2016 election (Bialystock and Bloom, Political Consultants)

Kitsune said: "There were many things I hated about the last administration. Among those, I included the fact that The Producers was no longer funny. (And I say this as someone who likes The Producers)

I think Broderick and Lane actually did a sketch to that effect right around the time of the 2016 election (Bialystock and Bloom, Political Consultants)"

Oh I watched that sketch MULTIPLE times back then because it's hysterical because damn, I swear that exactly how it went down... that said, I'm neither nor there on that show itself, but Lane and Broderick are such icons attached to this show that it's difficult for most people to stomach seeing anyone else. Rannells could be good, but while Gad is good with comedy, Max isn't the kind of comedy he's good at. 

Gad and Rannells would be such a misfire for THE PRODUCERS - Gad doesn’t have that effortless, dry humor the role requires and Rannells has far too commanding a stage presence to play the meek Bloom.

Even if they reversed the roles, people would basically say it’s shoehorning their BOM roles into another show.

Replacing Lane in Producers is like replacing Bogart in Casablanca.  

Watched the anniversary cast w/Lane, Mel, and other cast during the spring.  Lane said they were surprised how well it went in Chicago.  But without any explanation, Lane said he couldn't see the show coming back today.  Whatever that means.  

I saw the original run of Gutenberg off-Broadway, and boy was it a blast. I still laugh thinking about it 14 years later. I think Rannells and Gad would actually be a good fit for the material, and if it meant this silly little show would get to have more exposure, I'd be down.

As for The Producers, it's an absolute no.

jacobsnchz14 said: "https://twitter.com/joshgad/status/1662152199991066625?s=46&t=7saXIZjJ_7gAb2-aEKbHkQ"

Watch this all be a mean tease and they’re just getting into the celebrity podcasting business.

I could see both doing very well. It’s not their names alone but the combination of the two that is interesting. And there’s no real background to say they wouldn’t be a draw together. 

ACL2006 said: "Would a revival of The Producers do well these days regardless of who is in it? Feels a bit outdated."

I'm of the belief that you kinda can't touch THE PRODUCERS unless someone were to do a drastically different take than Nathan. The material was greatly elevated by Stroman's staging and that cast. Even with the replacement casting of the OBC, despite a few swerves (such as Lewis Stadlen doing his Groucho Marx thing), it was "let's cast someone who can do a Nathan Lane impression (John Treacy Egan) or Zero Mostel impression (Brad Oscar)." Especially with Nathan still actively working (and could conceivably still play the part), it just begs for comparison.

Think the show would need an equivalent of LA CAGE or COLOR PURPLE being reinvented at the Chocolate Factory before coming to Bway.

But isn't GUTTENBERG the more recent rumor? Or am I misremembering?

More likely it's a Proshot of Book of Mormon. Might they perform on the Tonys to announce it?

The Australian production I felt was let down by the 2 leads. The Production Company did a version that was completely insane and blew the roof off with laughter. All talent relatively unknown but everything worked. Casting is everything.