Urinetown – REVIEW
Image: The cast of URINETOWN Image: Phil Erbacher
It’s very hard not to pun like a bawdy British comedian when speaking about this musical – the writers themselves don’t hold back. And really, that’s the level at which Urinetown should be appreciated; light-hearted parody with a slightly sinister edge and all the musical theatre beats to make you feel satisfied.
Written by Americans, Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis, and first produced on Broadway in 2001, Urinetown has established a regular spot in the repertoire of many theatre companies. It’s the kind of show that suits the intimate space and low-key style of the Hayes Theatre, which is currently mounting the show in conjunction with Heart Strings Theatre.
In a run-down urban town, beset by a 20-year drought and held to ransom by the megalomaniacal Caldwell B. Cladwell (Max Gambale) who owns the water utilities and the town officials, a group of poor townsfolk decide to rebel. They are led by the young, aspirational Bobby Strong (Joel Horwood) after the steep price for using public amenities – which they are forced to do by law – is increased even further.
To complicate things, Bobby unwittingly falls in love with Hope (Petronella Van Tienen), Cladwell’s daughter. Throughout the story we hear reference to “Urinetown”, a place where miscreants are taken and never seen or heard from again. Eventually we find out the truth about Urinetown.
There is a vague sense of an over-arching message but really, Urinetown doesn’t pretend to be much more than a bit of farce, in fact, it admits it quite explicitly. Officer Lockstock (Karen Vickery), the town’s law enforcer is also the show’s narrator, along with a street urchin named Little Sally (Natasha Vickery). They speak directly to the audience and openly mock the cliches and weaknesses.
To wit:
“…nothing can kill a show like too much exposition.”
“Or a bad title, even? That could kill a show pretty good.”
Deanna Farnell plays Pennywise, an employee whose loyalties are torn, and who drops a bombshell in the second act. Joe Dinn does double time as Cladwell’s lackey, Senator Fipp and Ma Strong, Bobby’s mum. Mixed characters are played by the ensemble: Artemis Alfonzetti, Tom Kelly, Dani Caruso, Benoit Vari.
It’s a humorous show that relies on nod-and-wink references to musical theatre tropes. The script fails or succeeds on the strength of the production and this effort by newcomers, Heart Strings, definitely succeeds. All the voices are powerful, the choreography and movement comedy are impressive.
The dour set design helps maintain a sense of foreboding, while the costumes are just enough to establish character; note the cheeky use of uric-yellow dress and shirt for Hope and Cladwell respectively. Director, Ylaria Rogers, has intuited what makes this show work and applied her skills to it.
Don’t let the title put you off. Take the plunge.
