Just saw Urinetown

One of the student theatre groups here just put on Urinetown and I caught their final performance tonight. They tried to stay true to its Fringe roots - smaller space, minimal sets/props, etc. I won't review the cast so much since it's people nobody knows, but as it was my first time seeing the show (and hearing the music) it's the only version I can review.

I thought it was a fantastic and enjoyable show, but honestly I don't see how it could have worked on Broadway (and I suppose some would argue that it in fact didn't) - maybe because I'm only used to seeing it with a small ensemble (about 15) in a smaller space, but it just didn't seem like it would be able to translate to a large-scale theater. It reminded me of people lamenting that Trailer Park's set has become too big since its days at the Fringe.

I couldn't help but think Sondheim in quite a few of the numbers as well as some of the dialogue in terms of clever, fast-paced, almost impossible to follow lyrics. Clearly worthy of the Tonys it won, but at the same time unworthy of the Tonys it did not win, particularly best musical. I don't know, for some reason the show as a whole seemed sub-par - not this particular production, just the show in general - I can usually tell if I'd like a show even if I don't enjoy a particular performance, so I can't fault this particular cast/orchestra/crew etc.

Regardless, I'm glad I got to see a production as I'd always wanted to see the show and never got the opportunity to see it in NY. I can totally picture Hunter Foster playing Bobby Strong and the guy who played it tonight was excellent, as was the rest of the cast. It's really one of those shows where you can totally play the characters over-the-top without detracting from, and perhaps even adding to the enjoyment factor. The show-stealer had to be Little Sally - what a great role and fun part to play.

It's definitely a show where the director can pretty much do whatever he wants as far as sets/blocking without doing any damage to the book, and a show I would both see again and recommend to others.

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Updated On: 10/2/05 at 03:28 AM

it was wonderful on Broadway. We loved it. What I did NOT love was this April walking by the theater in NYC where it was at (when I saw it in 2002) and only seeing the facade to the building......

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As I said before, that was just my opinion, and people are certainly free to disagree with me. I also added that I could totally be wrong since this was the only production I saw, and that those were only my feelings after seeing this one show. I realize that's why people usually don't post reviews of every minor non-professional production they see, but as this was the first time I saw the show I just thought I'd share my thoughts. I'll be the first to admit that had I seen the touring production or even the Broadway production I might very well feel differently. People just grow accustomed to what they are first exposed to - look at the threads on the Rent soundtrack vs. the OBCR, or any thread about replacement cast memebers not holding a candle to the originals. I acknowledged that because this was the only production I saw, I could only imagine what a larger scale production would be like.

Regarding the comparison to Sondheim - it was only for the couple of songs that had that same fast paced, hard to follow music and lyrics. I did in fact note traces of all the musicals you mentioned and certainly appreciate its unique styling.

Didn't mean to offend anyone - after all, I walked away a fan of the show, so if I came across as bashing it I apologize.

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"maybe because I'm only used to seeing it with a small ensemble (about 15) in a smaller space, but it just didn't seem like it would be able to translate to a large-scale theater"

One of the beauties of Urinetown is that it's a brilliant show that is totally flexxible.
Urinetown played on Broadway in the Henry Miller Theatre. When it was still standing, it was the most dilapidated theatre on Broadway, dark, seemilingly filthy, and a seemingly small house. It worked perfectly.
And the only reason that Urinetown closed in Feb. 2004 was because they were going to tear down the Henry Miller and there were no other theatres open to transfer.

Yes, I know that "What Is Urinetown?" has been cited as being a Fiddler parody. Composer Mark Hollmann had said somewhere that he wasn't necessarily thinking of Fiddler, but just wanted a mazurka number to open Act Two. I think the Fiddler homage may have come from choreographer John Carrafa.

And Henry Miller's Theatre wasn't seemingly filthy... it WAS filthy!

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Updated On: 10/2/05 at 12:41 PM

That is true, BSoBW. Underneath all of the foolishness, there's a serious message in Urinetown about the world using up its natural resources. It's done with a wink and a shrug - sorta like, "the world is headed for disaster. Let's dance and sing about it." Certainly, the right show for our times, perhaps now more than ever.

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"Don't you think people want to hear that their way of life is unsustainable!?"

What happened to U-town 2?

Isn't U-Town 2 a prequel?

Honestly, the Broadway production was nothing short of amazing and yes, it did do well. The theatre was not huge and the staging and direction were flawless. That is what made it work and possibly what you could not see in a student production. There was no problem picking up all the dialogue and lyrics. I sat in the back row of the orchestra and picked up every word. The choreography was brilliant and the first act finale was simply the funniest things I've ever seen in any show. It was inspired moment after inspired moment that culminated in a non-stop farcical musical number that only grew in hilarity and intensity and sustained it for almost 10 minutes solid. It truly was robbed of Best Musical as it had far more originality and creativity in the first 15 minutes than Millie had in its entirety. It closed way too soon.

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Since it played for 2 1/2 years who played Bobby Strong ? Hunter Foster didn't play Bobby for 2 1/2 years did he?

I wish it would tour again, even if its just a non-equity tour. It only toured for like one season it seems! Bring it back! Or I wish regional theaters would do it more!

Megan actually didn't open with the show on Broadway. She was seven months pregnant when she finally had to leave the Off-Broadway cast. Jen Cody replaced her for the last two weeks Off-Broadway, and then opened the show on Broadway as Little Becky. They kept the character pregnant when Jen took over the role. Megan did join the Broadway cast as Little Becky and then Little Sally, but Spencer Kayden returned for the last few months of the Broadway run as Little Sally.

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