Urinetown the Musical
Mark Hollmann (Music & Lyrics); Greg Kotis (Book & Lyrics)
South Bay Musical Theatre
Capitalists who care more about cash than care of the people; legislators fawning over CEO’s and accepting bribes on the side; devastating droughts, shrinking water tables, and dubious responses by government officials; authoritarian threats and promised violence against populist protests … Sound familiar? As much as these all resemble recent headlines, they are actually just a few of the social and political issues raised and satirized in a musical premiering nearly twenty-five years ago. Often dubbed both an ‘anti-musical’ and a ‘love letter to musicals,’ Urinetown the Musical is a biting yet hilarious comedy satire that also becomes a musical lover’s treasure hunt in trying to identify the many past musicals referenced throughout its two hours.
South Bay Musical Theatre’s decision months ago to open its punchy and pleasing production in late January 2025 now seems uncannily timely. That is especially true every time the large cast faces the audience at stage’s edge singing in huge-sounding, direct-in-your-face harmonies phrases like “This is Urinetown,” “You’re at Urinetown,” or “We are in Urinetown.” It does not take long for everyone to realize “Urinetown” is actually “Your Town.”
Please continue to Talkin’Broadway for the rest of my review.
Rating: 4.5 E
A Theatre Eddys Best Bet Production
Urinetown the Musical continues through February 15, 2025, in a two-hour (plus intermission) production by South Bay Musical Theatre at Saratoga Civic Theatre, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA. Tickets are available online at https://southbaymt.com or at the box office Monday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. (phone, 408-266-4734)
Photo Credit:
Photo Credit: Dave Lepori
