It’s a bathroom musical for adults, and the kid sitting in front of us stayed awake for the entire 2 1/2-hour show. We’re talking “Urinetown,” Greg Kotis and Mark Hollman’s astonishing musical, which just settled in for a two-weekend run to close Starlight Theatre’s 60th season. Remaining performances take place at 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 14 to 17.
“Urinetown” has more to offer than its tight and talented singing and dancing company, David Brannen’s knockout choreography, director Brian Wells’ fast-paced staging and Parmer Fuller’s small band of musicians. Bound to attract young audiences, it’s a giant step into the future. Even so, the older folks in the courtesy limo afterwards gave it a thumbs up.
“Urinetown” astonished Broadway aficionados when it copped three 2002 Tony Awards ” for best direction (John Rando), best book and best musical score. After seeing it, one understands why. There is nothing quite as innovative as “Urinetown” in terms of wordplay, attitude and subject matter ” all of it redolent of Plautus and, more recently, to Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill.
During the past 12 months or so, residents have seen two productions of “Marat/Sade” and the La Jolla Playhouse’s “Mother Courage.” “Urinetown” mines the same vein that flows with greed and the darkness of the human spirit.
Narrator Lockstock’s final verbal image projects our future as we merrily skip toward the complete depletion of our resources. Truth underlies Kotis’ satire, making it delicious indeed.
Gleefully played and sung by Doug Bilitch, an excellent Peron in Welk Theatre’s recent “Evita,” constable Lockstock relishes the fact that he can’t be killed off until the story is done. His foil is Little Sally, a street urchin wise before her time, played by Sarah Sumner (shades of “Les Miserables”). Fred Harlow does a grand job as Lockstock’s officious assistant, officer Barrel. Indeed, they owe their being to the Keystone Cops and Shakespeare’s “watch” and even perform their own musical number.
Lockstock is charged with maintaining order in a society that suffers extreme and prolonged water shortage. There is no running water at all and the situation was so dire following “the smelly days” that Caldwell B. Cladwell’s (Norman Large) Urine Good Company has instituted public pay toilets. He reaps the profit, of course, and promises solutions that never come. The poorest of these convenience stations is run by Pennywise (Leigh Scarritt), a matron with menace indeed. Anyone caught answering nature’s call in the countryside or nearby bushes is summarily executed.
True to musical theater convention, Cladwell’s daughter, Hope (Carly Nykanen), falls in love with resistance leader Bobby Strong (Kurt Norby). Among the show’s catchy tunes are “It’s a Privilege to Pee,” “Follow Your Heart” and “Run, River, Run.” Though we hope for rain to fill the river basins, it never arrives. There is no formulaic ending, despite courage and hope.
Drawing on tradition, yet fresh as a daisy, “Urinetown” is an absolute joy and a must-see event. Kudos to Starlight for getting out of the rut in such clear and significant fashion!
“Urinetown” continues at Starlight Bowl, Balboa Park, through Sept. 17 only. Don’t miss it. For tickets and information, visit www.starlighttheatre.org or call (619) 544-7827.
Kotis fans please note: In collaboration with New York’s Roundabout Theatre, The Old Globe presents the co-world premiere production of his new, satiric comedy, “Pig Farm,” Sept. 28 through Oct. 29. n