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Urinetown
Music and Lyrics by Mark Hollmann
Book and Lyrics by Greg Kotis
Directed by Rick Frendt
Choreography by Nancy Flaster
Musical direction by Ryan Brewster
Produced by Big Noise Theatre
At Prairie Lakes Theatre
515 E. Thacker Street
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Call 847-604-0275, tickets $12 - $20
Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 2pm
Running time is 2 hrs, 30 min with intermission
Through May 17, 2008
Big Noise’s Urinetown makes a big splash!
The biting satirical musical with the lousy name is loads of fun. Big Noise Theatre has mounted a worthy rendition of Kotis and Hollman’s campy riff of Broadway. Urinetown is a fresh, hilarious spoof of Brechtian ‘epic’ theater, of political theatre and a Weillian stretch of operatic from. The result is a fresh, originally colorful musical. Urinetown proves once again that almost any topic is grist for the mill of talented musical composers and lyricists. This exuberant show will leave you basking in the glory of the stage’s power to entertain.
A product of the Fringe Festival in NYC, Urinetown is simply the story of two young adults who fall in love in a city in the middle of a water shortage. It spoofs political corruption, corporate greed, and the social consequences of a mismanaged environment. Classic left-wing issues such as exploitation and abuse of the poor and organized resistance versus activism are explored in an irreverent, exagerated style that is pure Brecht. The characters stay aloof and at times, step out of their character and speak directly to the audience.
We hear an original score, nicely arranged by Ryan Brewster, full of references to The Threepenny Opera, The Cradle Will Rock and Depression Era musicals. The excellent choreography by Nancy Flaster pays homage to Fose, Robbins and classic Broadway styles with movements that are frantic chaos but theatrically thrilling. Urinetown contains several show stopping numbers fueled with terrific choral singing.
We hear the gospel tune “Run Freedom Run” that highlights act two. There are musical and dance odes to The Boyfriend, Dames at Sea, Little Mary Sunshine, West Side Story, Guys & Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, Annie, Chicago and Les Miserables. These clever references add laughter and underscores the show’s satire of musicals. There are reference to the show’s ‘lousy’ title (Urinetown) ad the policeman and the little girl narrate with deadpan wit. This adds another layer to the spectacle and to the fine script and excellent songs that are funny yet appropriate. “Don’t Be a Bunny’ is cute yet philosophical as it tells about corporate power. With songs like ‘It’s a Privilege to Pee,’ we laugh and wonder what’s going on here? Soon we realize that it is theatrically wonderful. We can’t resist.
Urinetown’s finest moments are ensemble drawn numbers with exuberant dance and rich choral singing (the Marc Blitzstein effect). We like the funny Tom Moore as Officer Lockstock, the dedicated officer and narrator. Moore brings a hilarious presence and he works well with Lora Ristau’s Little Sally, the Annie type inquisitive child who comments on the shows action with him. Marian Kaderbek nails several tunes in the best Ethel Merman tradition as Penelope Pennywise. Peter Verdico, as Caldwell, charms us with his greedy philosophy in full satire. Summer Jonas, as Hope Caldwell, is pure innocence and delivers her numbers with sugary humor and sincerity. Jon Cunningham is the sweet, boyish ‘hero’ Bobby Strong. He sings nicely as he leads the revolt with winning aplomb. Cunningham anchors the fluid ensemble of ‘poor folks’ who perform the show’s energetic numbers, especially in the rousing “Run, Freedom, Run” show-stopper. In Urinetown, the ‘poor folks’ win over the audience.
The bizarre plot and crude themes may offend some—that’s the point. Urinetown uses hard camp and satire. The lesson here is that pushing the boundaries can result in a hilariously entertaining night that celebrates musical theatre. Big Noise Theatre Company, under swift direction of Rick Frendt and the energetic and creative choreography of Nancy Flaster, has mounted a funny, well staged, high powered production of Urinetown. Sheer energy propels this Urinetown. You’ll have a good time.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2008
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