#1
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.
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
