Gutenberg! The Musical

by Scott Brown and Anthony King

A two man musical comedy about aspiring playwrights, Bud and Doug, who perform their ridiculously inaccurate musical about Johann Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press, with hopes of getting the show Broadway! 

Fridays at 7:30pm

Saturdays at 2:00pm

Sundays at 5:00pm

Why should you come see this show...?

  • The two writers, Bud and Doug, perform all the roles, sing all the songs….yes just the two of them!
  • Historical Accuracy! ….almost zero….
  • More hats than a Derby party!
BUY TICKETS

Cast

Bud Davenport – Charlie Reese

Doug Simon – Dan Haymes

Charles/Music Director– Theo Bartemes

Production Team

Director: Taylor Feldhans 

Stage Manager: Justine Williamson

Choreographer: Megan Helmers

Prop Design: Marnie Strate

Set Design: Bud Davenport and Doug Simon

Costume Design: Bud Davenport and Doug Simon

Light Design: Bud Davenport and Doug Simon

WHO's WHO Cast And Production

Charlie Reese Bud Charlie is excited to return to Des Moines for Gutenberg the Musical! A Des Moines native who debuted as Peter Pan at Ingersoll Dinner Theatre, he has appeared with Des Moines Playhouse, Des Moines Onstage, Iowa Stage, Tallgrass, and many other local theaters. Notable productions include Singin’ in the Rain (Cloris Award), The Bridges of Madison County, Little Shop of Horrors (Cloris Award), Cabaret, Tick, Tick… Boom!, Legally Blonde, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Avenue Q, and Young Frankenstein (Cloris Award). Charlie resides in Minnesota with his wife, Megan, and their pets, Elliott Patrick Swayze Helmers-Reese and Daphne Pumpkin Spice Beyoncé Helmers-Reese.

Dan Haymes Doug Recent local shows include: (The DSM Playhouse): Frozen, Once, Singing in the Rain, Charlie Brown Christmas (drums). (Tallgrass Theater): The Emerald Earring, Pippin, Camelot, God of Carnage, Rumors, Every Christmas Story Ever Told, Equus, Disenchanted (drums). (DMYAT): Heathers.Prior to his time in Des Moines he worked with numerous theaters in Chicago as an actor, director, musician, designer, stage manager and board member. He is a current board member of About Time Theatre Company. In his free time Dan cherishes playtime adventures with his daughter Isla and creating memories with his amazingly talented wife Kim. Special thanks to: The Des Moines Playhouse, Sam Stephen, Katy Merriman, Greg Millar, Max and Karen Schaeffer, Taylor Feldhans, Justine Williamson, Megan Helmers, Theo Bartemes, The ATTC board, Our Broadway producers. Charlie Reese for being an amazing scene partner,making this such a fun process, all that extra driving from MN, and for agreeing to do this show with me. Steve Chelf for all the help around the house. Isla for being the best
6 year old anyone could ask for. Most importantly to his wife Kim. Thank you for all your help and being the best partner/wife/mom. I couldn’t do this without you.

Theo Bartemes Charlie / Music Director Theo is thrilled to have lines but not memorize them! Originally from Urbandale, Theodore holds degrees in music and computer science from Drake University. MD Credits include: Disenchanted! (Tallgrass Theatre), Anastasia (Carousel Theatre) Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical (DM Playhouse), Pippin (Tallgrass Theatre). As a composer Theodore’s work was featured at Maples Repertory Theater in ‘Tis the Season: A Maples Rep Christmas Celebration in 2022 and 2024. His first full length musical Smarty Pants: A New Musical (book and lyrics Bridget Grace Sheaff) premiered in 2018. Theodore is often seen collaborating with his wife, Mary Craven Bartemes, in performances, compositions, and choral arrangements.

Taylor Feldhans Director Taylor is a Des Moines based director and choreographer. Her recent directing credits include Comedy of Errors, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night (Shakespeare on the Lawn), How I Became a Pirate (Des Moines Playhouse), and The Wolves (Iowa State University). She is the 2017 recipient of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers Directing Award. Taylor lives in Ankeny with her husband, Ethan, and her son, Roman.

Megan Helmers Choreographer Megan  is a Minneapolis-based choreographer whose work has been featured across the midwest. A Resident Artist at Theatre Cedar Rapids, Megan’s recent choreography includes Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Guys & Dolls, Disney’s Frozen, Little Shop of Horrors, Hairspray, Beauty and the Beast, Fun Home, Carrie the Musical, and Something Rotten! for Theatre Cedar Rapids; La Cage Aux Folles, Next to Normal, Spelling Bee, and Titanic for Revival Theatre Company; and Little Shop of Horrors and Kinky Boots at the Des Moines Playhouse. In addition to her work with area theaters, she has choreographed productions for Hamline University, the University of Central Missouri, Simpson College, Iowa State University, Grandview University, and many more. Megan’s most recent work as a Director/Choreographer includes Theatre Cedar Rapids’s School of Rock, Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre’s Heathers: The Musical and Bring it On, and Tallgrass Theatre’s Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, The Revolutionists, and The Bridges of Madison County. Megan works in digital marketing for the arts at Capacity and has taught various dance styles for the Drake University Theatre Department, The School of Classical Ballet and Dance, and more. meganhelmers.com

Marnie Strate Props / Hat Boss Marnie is an actor, director and filmmaker. She is proud to sit on the board of About Time Theatre Company. Pervious credits include Lungs, Closer, The Shape of Things , Fat Pig, Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, and The Lieutenant of Inishmore. She is excited to be the literal printing press for the 70+ hats you will see in this production.

Justine Williamson Stage Manager Justine Williamson is a DesMoines native. Her stage managing experience includes Frozen at DesMoines Playhouse, Pippin at Waukee High School, Camelot at Tallgrass Theatre, I Do, I Do at West Virginia Public Theatre, and Cinderella at The University of Northern Iowa. A middle school theatre teacher for Waukee Schools, Justine also serves as a director for that program with recent credits being Between the Lines Jr., Finding Nemo Jr., and High School Musical Jr. Enjoy the Show!