Urinetown Bucks County Playhouse

[greatgilly]

Posted: 6/9/06 at 4:11pm

GO SEE THIS SHOW! I often speak well of the playhouse's productions but this is above and beyond anything I have seen there since Chicago. The cast is almost completely perfect. Each person embraces their character and gives a stellar performance. The leads were all great and so was the ensamble, with the exception of one man in the chorus who was just terrible and almost dettered from the actual talent that was on stage. The direction was spot on and the set was simple yet effective with high platforms and corregated metal walls that looked brilliant under the light. I have seen this show 3 times. Once on B-way and twice at other regional theatres (Villagers and coco playhouse) the broadway cast was unbelieveable and nothing could top them but the Bucks version comes damn close to the understanding that those broadway actors had of the piece. The other versions I saw were still funny but so much of the humor was totally overlooked. This one has it all. I say congrats to the cast and director and thank you for an amazing show...just please someone give that tall guy in the chorus a clue.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 6/9/06 at 4:18pm

Is the cast made up of Buck's regulars (the Palenas, etc)?

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 6/9/06 at 5:35pm

I'll be seeing it sunday!

[greatgilly]

Posted: 6/9/06 at 5:54pm

Jill Pelena is Becky Two Shoes, Louis is not in it. Tressa McCallister is Soupy Sue, Eva Devirgilis is Little Sally, Jim Lynch is Officer Lockstock, Peter Martino is Tiny Tom, and Doug Orleski is Billy Boy Bill. Those are the returnees from seasons past in the cast.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 6/9/06 at 6:07pm

No Eddie Mekka?

[greatgilly]

Posted: 6/9/06 at 6:10pm

No eddie only did a couple of shows there and was actually quite enjoyable as Tevya in fiddler. Eddie is currently in the cast of Hairspray in vegas (which is closing) and also is in the upcomming dreamgirls movie. He is a friend of mine and is very good and what he does.

[jasonf]

Posted: 6/9/06 at 10:15pm

I hate to say it, but I'm so angry about what happened to my kids at the theater festival in Bucks County this year that I don't know if I can honestly bring myself to go see any shows there this season. To top it off, two of the kids' parents who went and I all sent letters to the playhouse about the way we were treated there and we got absolutely no response.

It's a long story of what happened (and I'll pm if you really want to know), but the playhouse is NOT on my good list right now.

[Fiction Writer]

Posted: 6/9/06 at 10:54pm

Anyone who would attend Bucks County needs to see a shrink and get help. (Because the County name, if you need clarification.)

Maybe I'm just ignorant... What's so good about it?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 6/9/06 at 11:42pm

You also came on here and said Seussical was the greatest thing too. And I seem to remember you praising Gypsy incessantly too.

[IssaMe]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 7:51am

To get names in leading roles last year, Bucks County went Equity for the first time in a decade or more...after a disastrous season, they have reverted to non-Equity status this year - so don't expect to see any stars (at least theater stars)there this summer ... doesn't mean the shows won't be good, but recent history has not been too encouraging at this once top-notch house.

[Dre2387]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 8:48am

yeah, i don't know. I saw Lil' Abner and Once Upon a Mattress there and both were terrible. and I have also been involved in the comeptitions there and it hasn't been a pretty site.

To me, it's not worth driving the out there again, based on what has happened in teh past.

[greatgilly]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 9:56am

I thought that Seussical was very good due to the fact that it seemed the theatre actually put a little money in to the production of the show and that the actors were some of the strongest I had seen there in years. Gypsy I did not praise...it was a disaster. I also never came here and posted about into the woods....which i also saw. I was not impressed at all. The set was terrible (it looked like Oklahoma) and the direction was piss poor also...they cut all humor and made it a huge melodrama. the actors didn't seem comfortable with it and I was very dissapoined. As I said I am a fan of the playhouse but I still can tell what is good and what isn't. I know it's not broadway but it is damn good for summer stock that puts up shows in one week. I know many peoples oppinions of the place are bad but I'll say it once again...you can't go wrong with Urinetown. It is great