Did you ever think the story of the man who invented the printing press in 1450 would lend itself to a big, splashy Broadway musical in 2009?

Bud Davenport and Doug Simon certainly did.

"Gutenberg! The Musical!" is a two-man musical spoof about a pair of aspiring playwrights who perform a backers' audition for their new project -- a historical epic about printing-press inventor Johann Gutenberg -- with the hope that one of the producers in attendance will give them a Broadway contract.

The critically acclaimed musical comedy opens Friday at Hammond's Towle Community Theater.

"It's really clever and funny," said "Gutenberg!" director John E. Buranosky.

Highland's Bill Danko (Bud) and Chicagoan Tom Farley (Doug) portray the wannabe playwrights who sing all the songs and play all the parts in the audition of their ill-advised musical. Buranosky said the production came together well due to the fact that Danko and Farley have performed together in previous Towle productions.

"They already have a repertoire," Buranosky said.

"If there were two actors that didn't know each other for this particular show, it would be a step we'd have to establish. So for time and energy, it put us ahead in the game."

"Gutenberg!" not only is the smallest show cast-wise for Danko and Farley (the duo are backed musically by Brandon Magid), it's also one of the funniest.

Farley said those who are "theater savvy" will appreciate a number of in-jokes the show provides.

"But it's not important at all to your enjoyment if you aren't someone like that," he said.

"Gutenberg! The Musical" made its United States debut in September 2006 and its Chicago premiere last summer. Not many have stepped into the shoes of Bud and Doug (the show's writers, Scott Brown and Anthony King, played the parts in London). Now it's Danko and Farley's time to shine.

"They (Bud and Doug) think they're a lot more intelligent than they are, maybe," Danko said.

"It's the biggest night of their lives. They've written this show and it's not very good, but they don't know that. It's part of the appeal."