Urinetown

Urinetown
Music & Lyrics: Mark Hollmann. Book & Lyrics: Greg Kotis. Director: Mark Taylor. Producer & Musical Director: Ben Samuel. Chapel Off Chapel, Melbourne. October 27 - November 6, 2022.

If the title puts you off, think again!  This PG rated musical was nominated for a staggering ten Tony Awards, winning three.  Urinetown ticks all the boxes of what a great musical should be.  The characters are engaging, the story is riveting, the humour infectious and the music is foot tapping. Greg Kotis came up with the idea of Urinetown while travelling in Europe as a student on a limited budget. When he ran out of money, he spent the rest of his vacation looking for cheap meals, sleeping in train stations and, once he discovered that many public restrooms in Paris were pay-per-use, avoided going to the bathroom as much as possible. Kotis wrote about the genesis of the show: “It would be a grand, ridiculous reflection of the world as we know it to be, complete with the rich and poor, the powerful and the powerless, a government controlled by industry and an industry that exists apart from and above us all.”

Its 2001 Broadway opening was postponed due to the 9/11 attacks.  However, the Mayor of New York wanted Broadway open as quickly as possible, "for the psychological benefits that Broadway being up and running would contribute."  Urinetown proved to be just the right show to help people escape into an alternate world for a couple of hours. It went on to play almost a thousand performances!

Urinetown is a hilarious musical satire that pokes fun at politics, monopolising corporations, police corruption and even parodies musical theatre as an art form. After a twenty year water shortage, the government sanctions the ban on private toilets. A supposed 'malevolent' company enforces the use of their public amenities for exorbitant fees. A champion of the oppressed people decides that he's had enough, and plans a rebellion to lead them all to freedom.  There's nothing to take too seriously here.  Urinetown's content is both bitterly frank and blissfully funny!  The rousing score includes such genres as gospel, jazz, folk and traditional music theatre. Inspired by the works of Brecht and Weill, with nods to great musicals like West Side Story, Fiddler On The Roof, Chicago, Les Misérables, Wicked and even Australia's own Strictly Ballroom, you're in for a great night's entertainment!  

I have seen many brilliant versions of this show, and just when I thought it wasn't possible to make it more creative or funnier, Director Mark Taylor turns it on its head, quite literally. Setting the story in a rural town Down Under (instead of the traditional American setting) is a stroke of genius!  The characters are just your average Joe Blow, although heightened dramatically on the simpleton scale. We probably don't know people like them in reality, but the stereotypes come from Aussie movies and TV shows such as Kath & Kim, Muriel's Wedding or Reckless Kelly. One thing Aussies do well is have a good laugh at themselves and this production is the perfect fit.

The clever set design by Sarah Tulloch uses copious amounts of plastic curtains, bubble wrap, garbage bags and milk crates to create different environments. Quite a paradox, using all this plastic, when one of the themes of the show is sustainability! Harry Gill's rustic costumes are very versatile, allowing characters to transform between the poor rebels, law enforcers or the staff of Urine Good Company speedily. His inventive use of garbage bags as choir dresses in the gospel showstopper 'Run Freedom Run' nearly brought down the house!  Dazzling lighting design by Aron Murray included the use of projections on plastic curtains and the slick use of spotlighting during dance numbers. Sophie Loughran’s dance routines were witty, fresh and really showcased the strengths of the cast. Musical director Ben Samuel, conductor Ashton Turner and the nine-piece band showed great energy and mastery over this difficult score.  

The 18 member cast is phenomenal to say the least!  There was great chemistry between Amy McMillan (Hope Cladwell) and Finn Alexander (Bobby Strong) as they sang their act one duet "Follow Your Heart" both delicately and playfully. McMillan's handle on music theatre is evident during her exquisite performance of "I See A River".  Alexander is impressive as the dashing protagonist. The powerhouse performance of "Run Freedom Run!", performed with the 'garbage bag choir', almost got its own standing ovation.  Seriously, it's worth seeing the show just for this song alone! Two standout performances I didn't see coming were Dom Hennequin as Officer Lockstock (the narrator) and Ashlee Noble as Officer Barrell. Their grip on Aussie bogan demeanor and lingo was impressive.  I couldn't take my eyes off them both.  Chloe Halley oozed wide eyed innocence as Little Sally. Her vocals on "Tell Her I Love Her" were sensitive and angelic. Maddison Coleman as Penelope Pennywise (the tough, jaded warden of Public Amenity #9) is a force to be reckoned with. Her vocals on "It's a Privilege to Pee" were on point and through the roof!  Quin Kelly as Caldwell B. Cladwell gave a first-rate performance as both Hope's supportive father and power-hungry President of the UGC.  Quin's clever storytelling and use of sight gags in "Don't Be The Bunny" proved to be a crowd favourite.  Kudos to the remaining cast who were also enthralling in their respective roles.  

As was evident by the lengthy standing ovation on opening night, the entire creative team at Soundworks Productions is to be congratulated on such a triumphant debut, gracing the boards at the iconic Chapel Off Chapel.  

Don't miss this show!  Don't be put off by the title!  It's a privilege to see! U’r in for the time of your life!  

Jonathan Cox

Photos supplied by Ben Samuel

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