A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, as those great philosophers the Sherman Brothers (Robert and Richard), told us in their lyrics for Mary Poppins, the 1964 Disney film classic.
Urinetown offers sweetness in the form of wit, singing, and dancing, but there’s no mistaking the seriousness of the message in this 2001 musical by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, which deals with individual and corporate greed, political collaborators, misinformation, thugs, and genuine social problems that people don’t address because they are too busy capitalizing on or reacting to suffering.
The terrific production at Uptown Players, with brilliant performances and design, directed by Penny Ayn Maas with music direction by Vonda K. Bowling, makes this 25-year-old story seem fresh and new. Sadly, it no longer seems a stretch that there might be a water shortage (data centers, anyone?) or that corporations might try to capitalize on that shortage instead of helping people or treating the root cause. In a modern society where the cash register seems to be ringing at things we used to enjoy for free — watching shows on T.V., drinking clean water, checking bags and picking seats on airplanes — is regulating bathroom use really so unimaginable?
The premise of Urinetown is that because you need water to flush toilets, a corporation called Urine Good Company (UGC) charges people to go to the bathroom. Don’t have the money to pee? You’re out of luck. Try to pee outside the company toilets? The police are waiting to take you to a place called Urinetown where no one is heard from again.
The cast must be right on point to get the delicate balance of satire, sincerity and outrageous fun. These incredible performers do all that and more in one resplendent number after another. Max J. Swarner brings passion — and his spectacular tenor — to Bobby Strong’s journey from unsure young man to determined rebel leader. He meets his exquisite match in Emery Gray, who lends her compelling voice to Hope Cladwell, an idealistic young woman on a journey to follow her heart.
Everyone shines. Brian Hathaway’s delicious villainy as Cladwell B. Cladwell rivets. Mikey L. Abrams’ corrupt Senator Flipp is a sassy send-up of a bribable politician. Laura Lites suggests subtle shadows to the parsimonious Penelope Pennywise that sets up a tasty twist.
And in the two roles that require breaking the fourth wall, talking to the audience then returning to the action, David Lugo as Officer Lockstock and Taylor Nash as Little Sally, are a must-see. As a consummate comedian and actor, Lugo’s timing is always spot-on. It’s a delight to see Nash, as his young sidekick, meet and make every setup and punchline pop.
Maas’s direction, Bowling’s music direction, enhanced by Brian Christensen’s impeccable sound, Gabriela Ayala Yarbrough’s clever choreography, Dennis Canright’s grimy set design, lit to perfection by Julie Hohman, Suzi Cranford’s gritty and glamorous costumes and Michael B. Moore’s clever hair and make-up mine the marvelous musical spoofs with fabulous flair. Yes, you won’t be imagining those visual references to Les Misérables, West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof.
A shout-out to ALL the company. Everyone glittered, a few in multiple roles. Yes, I’m talking about Linda Leonard as Josephine Strong; Raphael Agee as Tiny Tom; Jessica Humphrey as Little Becky Two Shoes; Kayla Renee Jackson as Nurse; Donovan Marie Lawson as Soupy Sue; Gena Loe as Cladwell’s Secretary; Logan Lowery as Dr. Billeaux; AJ Martinez as Mr. McQueen; Ben Meaders as Officer Barrel; Gabrielle Rollins as Billy Jo Bill; Gerald Taylor II as Robby the Rockfish and Keith J. Warren as Old Man Strong.
The orchestra, conducted by Bowling on keyboard, delighted with Andrew Goins on Bass, Joe Garza on trombone, Michael Ptacin on percussion and Catherine Conlin on reeds; Christian Gonzales will replace Conlin for the final weekend July 16-19.
The biggest point I’d like to make, besides GO SEE THIS SHOW, is to THINK about it. It turns out that there aren’t easy solutions to the problems posed in Urinetown, just as there aren’t easy solutions to the problems we face today. But we’re not going to make progress if we just act and react to fear and scarcity as these characters do. There are a few lines from Little Sally that can easily get lost amid the fun like medicine in sugar. But they are vital to remember.
Little Sally urges Officer Lockstep to examine hydration and irrigation as possible solutions to the water shortage that propels the cruelty and anger in their community. Whether these solutions will work is not the point; the ideas are a reminder to look for solutions rather than act and react to talking points as we do all too often today.
The policeman shrugs, shakes his head, and gets back to the singing and dancing which, to be fair, is the most enjoyable part of the show. But it’s also a wise and cautionary reminder to deal with our problems and not to entertain ourselves to death.
Urinetown, presented by Uptown Players, Thursday through Sunday, July 19 at Kalita Humprheys Theater, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas. 214-219-2718. uptownplayers.org Photos by Mike Morgan, Uptown Players