Picture: Pamela Raith
Nerds: The Bill Gates vs. Steve Jobs Comedy Musical continues at Cowbarn at Underbelly, Bristo Square until 25 August 2025.
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
There are all sorts of nerds in this world – for example, computer nerds like the geniuses that inspired this musical – but there are also musical theatre nerds like the geniuses that put it together.
Everything about this show just zings quality. The book, the lyrics, the songs (music by Hal Goldberg), the acting, the singing, the choreography, the band… all of it – just top drawer.
The book and lyrics by Jordan Allen-Dutton and Erik Weiner are sharply witty with gloriously clever puns and double entendres. But they have bite (byte?) too. After all, this is a musical about a deep rivalry between two of the world’s most innovative and richest men. From geeky ambition and selling their first computer through shady shenanigans to world domination, the lightness of touch and the economy of dialogue make this telling of their story an absolute gem.
Kane Oliver Parry and Dan Buckley totally shine as Jobs and Gates. The ensemble around them match in quality. They’re all just fabulous. Nick Winston’s direction is razor sharp and his choreography is every bit as witty as the script. The irony of the “ensemble guy’s” curtain call costume wasn’t lost on this musical theatre nerd.
Sometimes all the elements come together to produce work that’s spectacularly good. This is one of those times.
Steven Wren
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