URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL Plays Town Hall Theater

"What kind of musical IS this?" says Little Sally, who finds herself in one of the strangest and funniest Broadway musicals of recent years.

Following sold-out hits Gypsy and the Wild Party, Town Hall Theater and the Middlebury College Department of Music join forces once again to present a big Broadway musical. This year's show is a hilarious look at a society that regulates even the most basic human functions.

That explains the title: Urinetown.

The show was the unlikely hit of the New York Fringe festival, and went on to a three-year run on Broadway and several Tony Awards. It explores a society in which "it's a privilege to pee", and satirizes just about everything - taxes, capitalism, corporate greed, big government, and just about everything else in the headlines.

But the real target is the Broadway musical itself, as Urinetown parodies everything we love and hate about musical theater.

"The fun of this show is figuring out what musical is being sent-up at any given moment," says director Douglas Anderson. "There are references to Les Miserables and Fiddler on the Roof and Threepenny Opera and West Side Story. It's brilliant and very, very funny."

Anderson directs for the third year in row, along with musical director Carol Christensen. They're joined this year by conductor Greg Vitercik and choreographer Schuyler Beeman ‘10.

"It's great having Schuyler back," says Anderson. The theater major graduated last year, a star of many shows and an All-American swimmer as well. He's currently working as a professional choreographer.

Urinetown will be presented at Middlebury's Town Hall Theater from January 20-23. Performances are at 8 pm. Tickets are $10/$8/$6, and may be purchased at www.middlebury.edu/arts/tickets or by calling 802-443-6433.

PHOTO CAPTION: The bizarre and hilarious Broadway musical Urinetown will be presented at Middlebury's Town Hall Theater from January 20-23. Performances are at 8 pm. Tickets are $10/$8/$6, and may be purchased at www.middlebury.edu/arts/tickets or by calling 802-443-6433.

 

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