A magician, a stand-up comedian and an actor were all it took for the comedy “Triple Espresso” to become the longest-running theatrical show in Iowa’s history.

The performance first opened Oct. 30, 2002 at the Temple for Performing Arts in Des Moines. Thursday night is the one-year anniversary celebratory performance of “Triple Espresso.”

“Des Moines is just right for entertainment,” says John Bush, an actor in the show. “There are a lot of families in the area, and ‘Triple Espresso’ is pure family entertainment that isn’t cheesy.”

The comedy performance is a Vaudeville-style ensemble showcasing the onstage talent of three men: Bobby Bean, Buzz Maxwell and Hugh Butternut.

“Triple Espresso” features its own songs and parody satires.

Bush, who has played Bobby Bean since the show opened last year, has been involved in many different areas of production. He has appeared on television shows, such as “Law and Order” and “Spin City.” He has also appeared in the motion picture, “The Thomas Crown Affair.”

Even though he has done bigger things, Bush says “Triple Espresso” is the “coolest experience right now.”

Bush says he really enjoys playing his character, Bean, the ever-optimistic comic. He is very focused on his goals, but gets messed up along the way, Bush says. He is the leader of the three men.

“Bobby is real,” Bush says. “That’s what makes him so funny. He is like Woody from ‘Cheers’ — his brilliance is there, but is hard to recognize.”

Buzz Maxwell, played by Patrick Albanese, is the dynamic magician in the performance. Albanese started performing magic when he was young and has turned it into his career. He says magic was something he naturally fell for.

The character of Buzz, Albanese says, is different.

“Buzz is a relief to the other characters,” Albanese says. “He is the sane one, the voice of reason.”

The third man of the trio, Hugh Butternut, is played by Grant Richey. Hugh is the disgruntled magician, trying to fit in with the other two.

Richey has been working on the stage for years. He has been in numerous television commercials for companies such as Budweiser and Korbel.

He is currently working in the Twin Cities performing for the Children’s Theatre Company, Park Square and other theaters.

“‘Triple Espresso’ describes the three men that were a trio in the 1970s. Everything that they did was a disaster and now they are re-living those disasters,” Albanese says.

He says the show is a part play, part variety show.

Albanese currently lives in Los Angeles where he has done many magic shows. He says his unique mix of acting and magic skills have provided him with more than a few opportunities.

Bush was also a frequent sketch performer on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” He has appeared as a stand-up comedian on HBO and Comedy Central.

In the 52 weeks “Triple Espresso” has been showing in Des Moines, 66,500 tickets have been sold, grossing $2.1 million.

Bush says he isn’t surprised the show has had this much success.

“It is the kind of show where so many different kinds of people see it and everyone laughs at the same time, but for different reasons,” Bush says.

“I want them to lose themselves and forget where they are. I want them to think [Triple Espresso] is like a magic trick and say, ‘Do that again.'”

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What: “Triple Espresso”

Where: Temple for Performing Arts, 10th and Locust, Des Moines

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday

Cost: $15—$30