I went in skeptical.
Having been invited to see this show years ago when a friend was in it, the title and premise lacked a certain initial appeal. Yes, the show is about what the title suggests, but as narrator or maybe more like ringmaster Anthony Pires Jr as Officer Lockstock insists, ‘The setting is not Urinetown, just the name of this musical comedy.’ Janie E. Howland’s set is dingy in various shades of brown and littered with broken toilets and grime as undefined shapes pepper the stage.
And yet….
The set is a ruined landscape as one would imagine it would be for a musical comedy called Urinetown, but Mark Hollmann’s piano-infused music is suspenseful, foreboding, urgent and bright and Deb Sullivan’s mood-induced lighting design stands out. As serious as some of the issues the show addresses are in a story about urination becoming a privilege for the rich and not a human right, the production’s satirical tone sits somewhere between not to be taken too seriously and a cautionary tale of oppression, corruption and more.
With thought provoking direction by Courtney O’Connor with lively choreography by Christopher Shin, The Lyric Stage Company opened its 50th anniversary season with musical parody Urinetown: The Musical live and in person at Lyric Stage Company in Boston, Massachusetts through October 20. The action is not limited to the stage and run two hours with a 10 minute intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.
Taking place in an unknown city that suffers from a severe water shortage, Anthony Pires Jr as narrator and Officer Lockstock, Gabriel Graetz as Officer Barrell, and Lisa Yuen as rigid and business minded Penelope Pennywise, must enforce that each city resident pay a fee to urinate passed down by Christopher Chew as President and Owner of Urine Good Company’s Caldwell B. Cladwell. When an incident takes place involving Remo Airaldi as Joseph “Old Man” Strong, Kenny Lee as Strong’s idealistic and determined son Bobby decides to do something about it.
Urinetown boasts a wealth of powerful vocals including Yuen’s stellar rendition of It’s a Privilege to Pee capped off by an astounding finale belt. In rubber boots, fanny pack, and pigtails, Yuen brings depth to Pennywise who is caught between a rock and a hard place not unlike another survivor she portrayed earlier this year in Reagle Music’s South Pacific. Pennywise must do what she thinks she must in fear of the alternative.
Anthony Pires Jr is charismatic, engaging and a lifeline as Officer Lockstock who alternates between law enforcement and narrating the plot at various interludes. Pires Jr’s self aware humor and sharp comedic timing adds levity to this bold satire that delivers its share of dark moments in a way that does not feel as heavy with Pires Jr at the helm. The Cop Song, a duet with Graetz and Company, offers an inside look of what it’s like to enforce the law here to a cheerful beat.
Elliana Karris depicts Cladwell’s rich, beautiful, compassionate, and idealistic daughter Hope who believes in change and shares an endearing rendition of Follow Your Heart with Bobby. They are goofy, giddy and share each other’s wide eyed optimism and determination. Kenny Lee is instantly likeable and impressive as Bobby who also longs to make a difference. Paige O’Connor is excellent as precocious, street smart and conflicted Little Sally who shares some funny and fascinating scenes with Lee and Pires Jr throughout the production.
With commanding vocals, Christopher Chew depicts threatening yet humorous adversary Caldwell B. Cladwell. Chew strikes a delicate balance between scathing and corrupt with comic wit. Cladwell could have easily delved into cartoon villainy, but Chew brings enough manipulative chutzpah to songs like Mr. Cladwell and Don’t Be the Bunny to make him a credible and worthy foe.
Musically directed by Dan Rodriguez, Urinetown features not only a number of songs in an array of styles, but also a variety of musical references which includes The Wizard of Oz, West Side Story and Les Miserables. The cast’s moving rendition of Run Freedom Run and the seemingly peppy I See a River are both memorable. As the band plays above the stage, it sheds some light as this skillful production delves into themes such as oppression, socialism, corporate greed, fear, corruption and freedom. It’s also a strong metaphorical satire about something one would hopefully never have to go through.
If you can get past that, The Lyric Stage Company continues Urinetown: The Musical at Lyric Stage Company in Boston, Massachusetts through October 20. Click here for more information and for tickets.