Regional Production of URINETOWN: a review!!

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 5:19pm

Here's my review; just so you know, I'm writing for a general public, so it's not so much an analysis of each actor and aspect of the show as it is a general review.



When you gotta go, you gotta go see Urinetown

In its first ever regional production, now playing at the Zach Scott Theatre, Urinetown, the Musical shamelessly gives new meaning to the term ‘potty humor’ as one of the most original, laugh-out-loud pieces of theatre in recent years. The Broadway hit and winner of three Tony Awards is in every way a witty political satire as it is a loving tribute to musicals over the decades, respectfully parodying everything from Fiddler on the Roof to Annie. This particular incarnation of the show is simply put one of the most entertaining, outrageous, and refreshing nights in the theatre that Austinites have the privilege of experiencing. It certainly takes a special show to get a room full of adults giggling about the taboo subject of pee-pee. But don’t deem a musical about bodily fluids too offensive just yet—it’s not quite Beavis and Butthead do Broadway.
The shamelessly self-referential musical “takes place in a town like any town that you might find in a musical.” Twenty years of draught have led to the outlawing of private toilets, forcing the poor citizens to scrounge for pennies in order to use the public amenities. The city’s public toilets are run by the UGC (Urine Good Company), a large monopolizing corporation run by the greedy Mr. Cladwell. Any infraction against the UGC, such as not being able to pay or just going behind a tree (there are laws against it) will get you sent straight to Urinetown, a mysterious place that no one ever returns from. So what is Urinetown? It is only when the citizens of Amenity #9 rebel that we find out.
The characters of the story follow traditional musical format, including an All-American hero, Bobby Strong, his hopelessly-sweet love interest, Hope Cladwell, and a greedy malicious villain, Hope’s father Caldwell B. Cladwell. David Sattler, Jill Blackwood, and Marc Pouhe soar in these parts, respectively, with dedication and Broadway-caliber talent. However, the experience of Urinetown would not be the same without any one member of the relentlessly hard-working, uber-talented supporting cast and ensemble.
Underneath the absurd subject matter and animated, often dim-witted characters is an irresistible heart of gold (or some choice shade of yellow). Every ridiculously over-exaggerated gasp, point, shriek, slap, and audience glance is side-splittingly genuine in a world where pee-peeing (yes, I said it: pee-peeing) is punishable by, well, elimination. The show runs rancid with symbolism and metaphors, all the while still mocking our favorite musicals in choreography and style. With songs like ‘The Privilege to Pee’ and ‘Don’t be the Bunny,’ Urinetown defies definition as a theatrical experience that challenges you to not wet your pants…or at least take advantage of the 15-minute intermission.
The shows creators, Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis, are reportedly now working on both a prequel and sequel to Urinetown, which they are now calling the center piece to a musical trilogy. So, will fans soon be humming to the tunes of Mucusville and Poop City? Here’s hoping…but don’t hold your bladder.



Updated On: 1/30/06 at 05:19 PM

[HighlyUnrealistic]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 5:27pm

Glad you enjoyed the show, but how is this the first regional production? There was a production at Signature Theatre here in DC back in the fall, if I'm not mistaken.

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 5:31pm

I'll recheck my resources...I thought I read that on their website.

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 5:33pm

"I am delighted to announce that ZACH has been selected to be the first regional theatre in the nation to present Urinetown."

that's from the director's note on the season...

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 5:35pm

Saw the show twice in Denver when it was on tour. Just about the funniest show I have ever seen. I still giggle when I think about it! Very nice review!

Updated On: 1/30/06 at 05:35 PM

[Kungaloosh1937]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 5:35pm

We did one at a professional theatre here in Orlando earlier last year.

[singtopher]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 5:36pm

Mason Street Warehouse did it in July.

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 5:44pm

well, either this director is wrong or this is the first REGIONAL theatre production...I'll figure it out, I really just wanted comments on my review (it's my first one for publication!)

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 6:11pm

I'll be seeing the Zach Scott production Feb 11. I'm excited!!!

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 6:23pm

What's the Website. I think I may know of some of the cast members.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 6:23pm

You asked for feedback, so I'll give you some. I'm not a grammar Nazi, I'm just responding to your request for input. I think you've written a nice review that should make people want to see the show, but I'd suggest the following changes:

"The Broadway hit and winner of three Tony Awards is in every way a witty political satire as it is a loving tribute to musicals over the decades"

This sentence has some grammar issues. 'as it is a...' leads me to believe that there should be a comparison, such as "the shows is as much a witty political satire as it is..."

"This particular incarnation of the show is simply put one of the most entertaining..."

'Simply put' is a parenthetical phrase. You need to set it off with commas. Better yet, just cut the phrase out. It's unnecessary.

"The characters of the story follow traditional musical format, including an All-American hero, Bobby Strong, his hopelessly-sweet love interest, Hope Cladwell, and a greedy malicious villain, Hope’s father Caldwell B. Cladwell."

I don't think this is necessarily a 'traditional musical format' as much as it is a narrative convention. It's more melodrama than anything else. I'd simplify the long sentence to begin "The characters of the story include an All-American hero..."

"Here’s hoping…but don’t hold your bladder."

It's almost getting to be journalistic convention to end reviews with some witty quip, but I don't think it's necessary here. It's not a bad line, necessarily. I'll leave that to your own taste.

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 6:30pm

Here's the link, but I don't see a cast list. I recognize Jill Blackwood. She is always great!

http://www.zachscott.com/on_our_stage/urinetown.html

[children&art]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 6:49pm

jill blackwood? i knew her back in college at southwestern as jill crowley - really talented, really funny.

but as good as zach's production is, watertower theatre in addison, tx is so much fun!

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 1/31/06 at 12:16am

yeah Jill was amazing. Thanks for the feedback...honestly, I didn't even want to include that little rundown about the characters, I just was trying to think of what people would want to know that no nothing about Urinetown. I'll definately take your suggestions into consideration.

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 1/31/06 at 12:24am

Man, Jill rocks! She was Amneris in Zach's AIDA, Fraulein Kost in Cabaret and was the title character in Edwin Drood at Austin Playhouse. She is amazing in every role.