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Jan. 20, 2006
When you've just got to go
Urinetown, The Musical turns out to be irreverent, fresh
fun.
KELLEY KORBIN
You're in for a great show if you make it to Urinetown, The
Musical, playing through Jan. 28 at the Firehall Arts Centre.
This Tony Award-winning musical parody, written by Greg Kotis and
Mark Hollmann and locally directed by Donna Spencer, has a name
that's as cheeky as its attitude. But don't shy away because of
the title – the show doesn't get any bawdier than old-fashioned
bathroom humor. The musical is a hilarious satire on political correctness,
corporate greed and old-style musicals.
The show opens with narrator Officer Lockstock, welcoming us to
Urinetown, "not the place, of course, the musical." He
is cleverly offset by Little Sally, a poor little girl who peppers
him with questions about the point of the musical.
The action takes place sometime when, due to a 20-year drought,
water resources are so scarce that everyone has to pay a hefty fee
to relieve themselves. Nowhere is this felt more acutely than at
Public Amenity #9, "the poorest, filthiest urinal in town,"
where the downtrodden of society have to beg and scrape together
their last pennies for the opportunity to pee.
The comings and goings into Public Amenity #9 are closely monitored
by the keeper of the toilet, chief custodian Penelope Pennywise,
played by Barbara Barsky. Pennywise is part prison matron, part
villain and part vamp. Barsky has a vocal and acting range to match
the role.
Pennywise works for Urine Good Co., "the gleaming tower on
the hill" that holds the monopoly on all the public amenities
in town. Urine Good is headed up by fat cat Caldwell B. Cladwell,
played perfectly by Jay Brazeau, and his cronies – who are
all at the urinal trough of Urine Good when we first meet them.
Cladwell has greased the pockets of politicians and police to ensure
that public urination and defecation is severely punished –
forcing everyone to pay up to go to the bathroom. The cops' favorite
pastime is searching out desperate folks who are peeing in public.
The punishment? A trip to Urinetown – from which no one ever
returns.
Of course, the question is, where, or what, exactly is Urinetown?
Without giving it away, let's just say it's not somewhere you want
to be.
The action heats up when Urine Good Co., with the approval of the
local legislature, institutes a fee hike at the public amenities.
The rebel poor, unable to pay or hold it in any longer, finally
revolt, fighting for a world where people can "pee for free."
The singing and particularly the dancing and choreography by the
stellar cast in this production are totally entertaining. The entire
show is a fabulous showcase of first-rate theatre talent.
The musical performances are highly irreverent and very funny. They
parody big Broadway-style productions, complete with tap, can-can
and Cossack numbers. "Don't be the Bunny" had the audience
absolutely howling with laughter. The costumes, by Barbara Clayden,
were great, too, especially those of the rebel poor, who were dressed
in sepia tones to match the Depression-era-style set.
The entire first act is laugh-out-loud funny. Act 2 is not quite
as captivating, but there is a strong finish with the heroine, Hope
(Tracy Neff), and cast singing "I See a River."
Other cast standouts are Tracy Power as Little Sally, Zachary Stevens
as Barrel and David Adams as Officer Lockstock.
Local theatre supporter Roberta Beiser attended opening night and
remarked that the Firehall Theatre's production of Urinetown
was even better than the one she saw on Broadway.
Urinetown, The Musical runs through Jan. 28. For tickets
call 604-689-0926.
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