Monty Python Meets Media Ecology

As I mentioned in a previous post, Monty Python's Flying Circus is one of the best comedy programs, and certainly the best sketch show that has ever aired on television. But that's not what this post is about. But I would say that Monty Python, in all of its formats, TV, movies, print, theater, etc., is not only outstanding humor, but also already always more or less media ecological in its own right.

But this post is about an off-Broadway musical brought to my attention by Gary Kenton, one of my MA students, and a fine scholar and media ecologist in his own right, not to mention another fellow father of an autistic kid, in addition to the fact that he works with autistic children for a living. Gary is writing the definitive history of televised rock music, at least prior to MTV. But enough about him--let him get his own blog!

The show in question is Gutenberg! The Musical! and the synopsis reads:
And one of the reviews posted on their website reads:

“It seems that Monty Python’s whole troupe has taken possession of two New York naïfs, aspiring musical-theatre writers Bud and Doug, in this goofy and inspired parody of Broadway bombast.”

Pamela Renner, The New Yorker

And here's the trailer:

And here's another clip of the show's creators on a talk show:



And for good measure, here's a silly one in which actor Steve Guttenberg tries to explain that he has no connection to the musical:



Of course, the $64 question is, is the show any good? And I'm sorry, but I can't answer that one, because I haven't seen it--I wonder if they mention Marshall McLuhan and The Gutenberg Galaxy at all? Perhaps the producers will read this and be willing to donate some tickets in exchange for a review?