“Urinetown” is one of the funniest Broadway musicals ever conceived, and, despite its title, a show suitable for the entire family.
The Tony Award winning musical opened at the Henry James Theater in 2001 and became a smash, poking fun at the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement and municipal politics. It also parodies “The Threepenny Opera,” “The Cradle Will Rock” and “ Les Miserables.”
The creators, Mark Hollman, and Greg Kotis were inspired when they were in Europe and encountered a pay toilet. They took the idea to its extreme creating a fictional town where water is so scarce every toilet has a fee and is controlled by the monolith UGC (Ur’in Good Company). The show opens with Officer Lockstock (whose partner is Officer Barrel) addressing the audience and explaining the situation. He is interrupted by a street waif, Little Sally, who asks if she can change the show’s title to something else. Officer Lockstock sadly says no. We’re stuck with it.
Obviously a show with a title like “Urinetown” is going to have an uphill battle getting produced. Originally no one wanted to touch it, no pun intended. Finally a small theatre company agreed to produce “Urinetown” as part of the New York Fringe Festival. The show was a huge hit and won an off Broadway production that then was scheduled to open on Broadway on September 13, 2001. The entire city was still shut down at that point so the opening was delayed until September 20. It became a favorite of every theater buff because its score contains recognizable melodies from dozens of iconic Broadway musicals. “Urinetown” became the little show that could, running for nearly a thousand performances and touring for nearly four years.
A few other tidbits: The show starred Hunter Foster, who was nominated for a Tony. He didn’t win, but his sister, Sutton did for her starring role in “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” which also beat “Urinetown” out for the Tony as Best Musical. It is the only time in Broadway history a brother and sister have been nominated for leading roles in two different musicals. The Henry Miller Theater, which is now the Stephen Sondheim, had been abandoned for a number of years and was a complete wreck inside. “Urinetown” intentionally chose it because of its condition and turned the entire theater into its set.
HART’s production has been designed by Tony Debernardo and is directed by Charles Mills. The cast includes some major talent, including Justin Slack, Cord Scott, Kier Klepzig, Zoe Manolas, Frances Davis, Tabitha Judy, Strother Stingley, Tom Dewees, Kristen Hedberg, Raymond Yarnutoski, Sean Bruce, Chelsey Gaddy, Jessica Savitt, Goerge Heard, Jacob Hunt, Italo Medelius and Garrett Funk.
If You Go: HART presents URINETOWN the Musical. October 3, 4, 10, 11 at 7:30 p.m. and October 5 & 12 at 3 p.m. Tickets; Adults $24; Seniors $20; Students $12. $8 tickets for Students Sundays. Box Office Hours Tuesday-Saturday 1-5 p.m. Call (828) 456-6322 for reservations. Tickets available at www.harttheatre.com. Performing Arts Center at the Shelton House, 250 Pigeon St. in Waynesville.