Josh Gad Felt the Pressure for His Return to Broadway in ‘Gutenberg! The Musical!’

For Josh Gad, the path to returning to Broadway following his star-making performance in ‘Book of Mormon’ wasn’t easy. “Book of Mormon is a once in a generation thing...you’re not going to replicate that. So why are you trying,” Gad told Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott. But one part Gad is willing to replicate from his ‘Mormon’ days in his new musical, ‘Gutenberg! The Musical!’ (currently on Broadway) is his ‘Mormon’ co-star, Andrew Rannells, who “literally makes me better every time I’m on stage next to him.” The musical follows Bud (Gad), the “naive one,” and Doug (Rannells) as they workshop a musical about the less-than-factual story of Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press. “Gutenberg gives us a chance to come back and flex our muscles comedically in a way that is both familiar, but different.” Gad calls the physicality of ‘Gutenberg’ “20 times harder” than ‘Mormon’ because “we don’t leave the stage once except for intermission.” Gad is aware there will be comparisons to Mormon, and that’s okay. “I am forever grateful for that experience and that unbelievable roller coaster ride.” Visit Newsweek.com to learn more about the podcasts we offer and to catch up on the latest news. While you’re there, subscribe to Newsweek’s ‘For the Culture newsletter. Follow H. Alan Scott on everything at @HAlanScott. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.