Satire sings new song in “Urinetown”
Welcome to “Urinetown,” a dystopian society where peeing is a privilege. The musical satire helmed by Michael Wainstein closed the mainstage production season with a lighthearted criticism on the corruption of the legal system with plenty of song and dance. The play easily balances its sardonic sense of humor with an honest look at how the world really works. More than just an ode to the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, “Urinetown” offers up an offbeat cautionary tale of the greed of capitalism without sacrificing the laughs.
The story centers on the young hero Bobby Strong, played by Michael Sterling Miller, as he desperately seeks out a silver lining amidst the bleak future for the poor citizens of Urinetown. The people owe their suffering to the tyrannical Caldwell B. Caldwell (David Bahgat) who attempts to regulate water consumption by banning the use of private toilets and forcing all to use public amenities instead and all for a hefty price. Bobby, with the help of Caldwell’s daughter Hope, looks to help the poor citizen’s rise up against the corrupt efforts of Caldwell and his minions.
Although the play is almost painfully allegorical, it is unapologetic in its sarcastic view on social irresponsibility while also poking fun on what a musical should be. Ever since the show opened on Broadway in 2001, it has given its audience a fun ride with a cast of quirky and obviously symbolic characters such as the rational Ms. Pennywise, optimistic Hope, and the steadfast Bobby Strong.
The play is a strange one, a fact which it flaunts shamelessly. At times the frequent breaking of the fourth wall can become a little tiresome. The high concept Brechtian nature of the show can be slightly confusing and the multiple monologues from Officer Lockstock (Mario Matthews) and Little Sally (Anne-Marie Trabolsi) can feel a little bloated. However, the play offers moments of honest endearment and it is hard not to enjoy the strangeness of it all. “Urinetown” is indeed crude, if not just plain weird, but proves to be both pleasantly entertaining and meaningful.
