URINETOWN- 'when you gotta go...'

"Yes, but who's gonna come to a show a called " Urinetown?" says Little Sally to Officer Lockstock, two of the principals in this off the wall musical comedy. Well, I'll tell you they came in trickles at first, then in streams (no pun intended) to Broadway to see this unexpected phenomenon win Tony Awards for best music, best book and best direction.

Somewhere, beneath a God-awful title and a production that steals spoofs and take off's from Les Miserables, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story and more, comes a show that is ditsy, clever, entertaining and filled with shtick and belly laughs. 

The unlikely idea came from co-writer Greg Kotis's real- life travel experience of "Europe on a shoestring" budget. Kotis took to sleeping in train stations enroute back to the states.

By the time he was penniless in Paris, he debated whether to use the pay toilets or hold out for a cheap diner where he could "combine the two". Kotis begins to think what it would be like to live in a city where everyone, no exceptions made, was forced to pay to pee. Surely such a place would breed corruption, oppression, and class distinctions. Could a story be written about such a place? How about a show? Why not a musical? And there you have it, the birth of Urinetown.

Urinetown is set in a 1900's city whose water supply is desperately grave and pay-toilets are everywhere. The city is taken over by a greedy corporation UGC, Urine Good Company, terrible pun, but this show's full of them. Its CEO Caldwell B. Caldwell (Ron Holgate) dominates the city by controlling the public amenities that are manned by a toll troll matron, Penelope Pennywise (Beth McVey) and a line of poor city folk waiting to gather their pennies for the "privilege to pee", which happens to be the title of one of the show's songs.

Those who can't "hold out" soon find themselves exiled to the dreaded and mysterious state of Urinetown, from which no one returns. Cladwell's daughter, Hope (Christiane Noll), the squeaky voiced; squeaky-clean beauty hasn't a clue what's going on, having just returned from college. Hope finds her way to town and wins the heart of young Bobby Strong, who leads a popular revolt against Cladwell's latest toilet tax increase. 

Looking much like the cast of Les Miserables, the town's people decide to hold Hope as ransom in exchange for an accord with Cladwell. Things pretty much go downhill from here. But this doesn't keep this crazy bunch of loons from singing and dancing their way to freedom. 

The music, serves up a mix of Jazz with "Snuff That Girl", gospel, with "Run Freedom Run" " I See a River" and even throws in a love duet " Follow Your Heart". Sadly, the score is pretty much unforgettable as it's highly unlikely you'll hear any of these songs out of the context of this production. But then, who would expect a musical about urine restrictions? The delivery of songs and dance of this company is solid. The well-executed musical direction mimics movements from previously mentioned shows. Just when you find yourself getting caught up in the tunes and the movement, you remember that this is delightful nonsense!

The redemption of this tactless, toilet humor is the amazing cast! Tom Hewitt (Lockstock) who doubles as the police chief and narrator, gives an outstanding performance, throwing himself into this delightfully, devilish character that indeed gets the roars at the curtain. Not to be out done is McVey's, Nurse Ratchet/ Madame Thenardier portrayal of the head urinal patrol. Christaine Noll captures the crowd with her nervous, ditsy but delightful role of Hope, though she spends a good portion of her stage time bound, gagged or trapped among the hooligans. Bobby Strong, Charlie Pollock, possesses a sweetness and a power filled voice, plays Hope's short-lived love interest. Ron Holgate's Cladwell is a comedic villain character much like Seinfeld's Mr. Peterman ( Elaine's encentric boss) with a case of the 'nasties' as he fiendishly proves to the audience what he thinks of an innocent rabbit in " Don't Be The Bunny". Justifiably, Holgate becomes the bunny in the end. Little Sally (Meghan Strange) is no "Annie", but she certainty packs a punch vocally like there's no "Tomorrow". Sorry, the shtick is contagious.

An offbeat, loony mix of Mel Brook's and Monty Python, Urinetown should be recommended to those who have an open mind to humor. Warning! Visit the rest room prior to seeing this show, cause if you don't have to go, you soon will. 

Music and Lyrics by: Mark Hollman, Book and Lyrics by: Greg Kotis, Directed by: John Rando

Urinetown plays at the Academy of Music, Philly, from Nov. 18-23

Tickets and information: www.kimmelcenter.org. or 215.790.5800

photo credits: Playbill on Line Photo Call

 

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