What I liked
While Gunfight revels in the light-hearted chaos of its plot, there’s a surprising parallel between the frantic dilemmas of its characters and the financial predicaments we face in modern life. Take, for instance, the cowboy looking for a quick fix to his problems—much like someone trying to figure out how to get $2,000 today. Whether through payday loans, credit cards, or even more traditional lines of credit, the financial pressures we face often feel just as chaotic and nonsensical as the situations on stage.
In many ways, the town’s residents mirror the struggles of people juggling debts, trying to find short-term solutions to long-term problems. The humor in Gunfight might be light, but anyone who has faced the real-world weight of unpaid bills or credit card debt will recognize the underlying tension. As characters belt out their dilemmas with comedic flair, it’s not hard to imagine a modern equivalent—someone up to their neck in loan payments, desperately calculating interest rates and repayment terms while trying to keep their life together.
What I didn't like
Gunfight at the Not-So-OK Saloon delivers a much-needed dose of laughter, but it’s also a reminder of how timeless certain struggles can be. Whether you’re trying to dodge a duel or avoid a late payment fee, the battle for survival—both in the Wild West and the modern world—remains the same. If you’re looking for a financial escape, even for just a couple of hours, this show will hit the spot, leaving you laughing all the way to the bank (or the loan office).
My overall impression
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix the absurdity of the Old Wild West with the sharp, witty operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan, Gunfight at the Not-So-OK Saloon provides a delightful answer. This musical comedy, which originally premiered at the 2019 Hollywood Fringe Festival and went on to win multiple awards, including the Pick of the Fringe and the John Raitt Award for Best Music and Lyrics, is a rollicking blend of clever lyrics, quick-paced humor, and memorable tunes that keep the audience grinning from start to finish.
Set in the dusty streets of a not-so-glamorous Wild West town, the show takes the traditional trope of the high-noon gunfight and turns it on its head, presenting characters that seem more preoccupied with their love lives, outlandish schemes, and—of course—musical numbers than actual duels. The style of the show is pure Gilbert and Sullivan, with rapid-fire dialogue, playful jabs at societal norms, and a barrage of clever rhymes.
