3rd
Annual New York International Fringe Festival  **Awarded
Overall Excellence - Musical**"Urinetown! (the musical)" by Greg Kotis and Mark Hollman At the Present Company Theatorium Theater of the Apes Reviewed by Melissa Anelli for for Theatre Reviews Limited  Live
theatre has begotten its very own "South Park." For the past week,
scores of introspective dramas have been playing in and around the
East Village, expecting one of their own to glow in Fringe fame. Yet
one quirky musical, so aware of itself that it is its own punch line,
is stealing the light, lime by lime. Much like the aforementioned blockbuster movie, "Urinetown! (the musical)" has gone where no one thought it would: on the must-see list. With its tongue planted firmly in its cheek, "Urinetown!" slyly takes its own genre and rips it to shreds. Using and abusing every convention near and dear to American musical theatre, "Urinetown!" is full of the type of irreverence that leaves people singing. Carrying the show on her roller skates is Spencer Kayden as the smarter-than-she-seems Little Sally. Paired with Officer Lockstock (Jay Rhoderick - half of the Lockstock and Barrel crime-fighting team), she acutely points out every ludicrous truth to the formula of successful musical theatre. These transitional, yet hilarious scenes are the prime examples of the wit and spunk in every line of Greg Kotis' book. Sticky with newfound-love goo are Wilson Hall and Louise Rozett as Bobby and Hope, the mushy pair that, according to Officer Lockstock, are found in every musical ("Of course she loves him," he tells Sally. "He's the hero of the show, she has to."). Their duet, "Follow Your Heart," is as delightful as it is grating. While it's so tempting to curse its absolute corniness, the urge to laugh at the perfectly exaggerated situation takes over. Yet, for all the sharp one-liners, the ensemble numbers take an enjoyable experience and make it unforgettable. The first act finale, a climax of reprise and exposition, has a type of insurmountable energy that rivals "Les Miserables'" war march, while "Rio," a samba that sings the praises of vacationing from corporate life, turns into a lei-swinging fiesta that could have been plucked straight from "South Pacific." In fact, every well-known body of musical work is found here, and whenever a direct link isn't causing laughs, solace is found in the penetrating charm of the vibrant cast. Should "Urinetown!" find a commercial home after its already extended run at the Present Company Theatorium, its biting sarcasm and knack for stating the obvious just may subject the cemented traditions of musical theatre to serious review. We can only hope. Reviewed on Wednesday, August 25, 1999 "URINETOWN! (THE MUSICAL)" By Greg Kotis (Book, Lyrics) and Mark Hollmann (Music, Lyrics). Directed by Joseph P. McDonnell. Jane Charlotte Jones, scene design; costume design by Karen Flood; Peggotty Roecker, lighting operator; Michael Stuart, stage manager/scenic design. Presented by Theater of the Apes at The Present Company Theatorium, 198 Stanton Street (at Ridge Street). In August at the New York International Fringe Festival on the following dates: Friday the 27th at 6:15 p.m.; Saturday the 28th at Noon; Sunday the 29th at Noon and at 5:30 p.m. Extended Wednesday through Sunday, September 1st through 4th at The Theatorium at 8:00 p.m. All Fringe tickets are $11.00. For information and reservations visit http://www.fringenyc.org WITH: Kristen Anderson (Josephine Strong/Mrs. O'Henry), Nick Balaban (Old Man Strong/Hot Blades Harry/UGC Exec.), Terry Cosentino (Senator Fipp/Poor Person), Adam Grant (Caldwell B. Cladwell), Wilson Hall (Bobby Strong), Raquel Hecker (Little Becky Two Shoes/Cladwell's Secretary), Carol Hickey (Penelope Pennywise), Spencer Kayden (Little Sally), Victor Khodadad (Officer Barrel/UGC Exec./Poor Person), Zachary Lasher (Tiny Tom/Dr. Billeaux), Rob Maitner (Mr. McQueen/Poor Person), Bellavia Mauro (Soupy Sue/Mrs. Millennium), Jay Rhoderick (Officer Lockstock), Louise Rozett (Hope Cladwell) and Allison Schubert (Hildago Jane/UGC Exec.). |