Lamb Productions presents the musical 'Urinetown'
Paying for the privilege
By Joanne Fox Journal staff writer | Posted: Friday, March 07, 2008
Matt Rixner and Emily Dorsett rehearse a scene from "Urinetown," the next musical at Lamb Productions. (Staff photo by Jim Lee)
"Urinetown," the next musical at Lamb Productions, is a tale of greed, corruption, love and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold and going to the restroom is a privilege one has to pay for.
That doesn't mean director Donny Short hasn't been explaining the title to non-theatergoers.
"Yes, this is the name of the musical," he said. "It's really part of the phenomena."
A terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a ban on private toilets. The story is told in narrative form by Officer Lockstock (Matt Rixner) to one of the town's younger residents Little Sally (Emily Dorsett).
The citizens must use public amenities regulated by a malevolent business, Urine Good Company, run by Caldwell B. Cladwell (Russ Wooley). His company profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. That's because peeing without paying is punishable by banishment to Urinetown, from which no one returns.
Bobby Strong (Michael Rohlena) decides he's had enough and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom. He's aided by the most unexpected of allies, Cladwell's daughter Hope (Angela Iversen) and ultimately, Penelope Pennywise (Diana Wooley).
"Urinetown" won four Tony Awards in 2002, including winner of the 2002 Tony Triple Crown -- Best Book, Best Music & Lyrics and Best Direction.
"When the show premiered at the 1998 New York fringe festival, people were asking, 'What could this possibly be?'," Short said. "It may sound ridiculous, but there's a lot of intelligence behind the story."
Mark Hollmann created the music and Greg Kotis came up with the idea from a backpacking trip through Europe, Short said.
"One of the things Greg was charged for was public amenities," he added. "So he approached Hollmann and suggested the two do a show about what would happen if this situation was the norm."
Urinetown is an irreverently, humorous satire, but it could be a reality, Short said.
"You could compare it to the price of gasoline that keeps going up and up," he said. "What do you do if there's not enough gas to go places? It's a conflict a lot of people have to deal with."
Beyond the theme of the show is some of the most clever music and staging that made "Urinetown" an award-winning production, said Short.
"You will see take-offs on 'West Side Story,' 'Fiddler on the Roof,' and 'Les Miserables,'" said Short, a self-proclaimed musical theater freak. "I think the audience will pick up on those similarities."
But even folks who have no musical theater background, will smile at such songs as "It's a Privilege to Pee," Short said. One group which will be part of opening weekend is Siouxland Urology Associates P.C. Lamb Productions will also be serving a special drink, the Tinkler (a sparkling wine and orange juice) and the Wee Tinkler, a nonalcoholic version.
"Urinetown" opens Friday and runs through April 6 at Lamb Productions, 417 Market St. The show does not play over Easter weekend. Curtain is 7:30 p.m. with two matinees at 1:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $23 for Friday/Saturday; adult Thursday/Sunday are $21 and senior citizens and students on Thursday/Sunday are $18. Tickets are available at the door or by calling the box office, Monday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. at 255-9536.
That doesn't mean director Donny Short hasn't been explaining the title to non-theatergoers.
"Yes, this is the name of the musical," he said. "It's really part of the phenomena."
A terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a ban on private toilets. The story is told in narrative form by Officer Lockstock (Matt Rixner) to one of the town's younger residents Little Sally (Emily Dorsett).
The citizens must use public amenities regulated by a malevolent business, Urine Good Company, run by Caldwell B. Cladwell (Russ Wooley). His company profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. That's because peeing without paying is punishable by banishment to Urinetown, from which no one returns.
Bobby Strong (Michael Rohlena) decides he's had enough and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom. He's aided by the most unexpected of allies, Cladwell's daughter Hope (Angela Iversen) and ultimately, Penelope Pennywise (Diana Wooley).
"Urinetown" won four Tony Awards in 2002, including winner of the 2002 Tony Triple Crown -- Best Book, Best Music & Lyrics and Best Direction.
"When the show premiered at the 1998 New York fringe festival, people were asking, 'What could this possibly be?'," Short said. "It may sound ridiculous, but there's a lot of intelligence behind the story."
Mark Hollmann created the music and Greg Kotis came up with the idea from a backpacking trip through Europe, Short said.
"One of the things Greg was charged for was public amenities," he added. "So he approached Hollmann and suggested the two do a show about what would happen if this situation was the norm."
Urinetown is an irreverently, humorous satire, but it could be a reality, Short said.
"You could compare it to the price of gasoline that keeps going up and up," he said. "What do you do if there's not enough gas to go places? It's a conflict a lot of people have to deal with."
Beyond the theme of the show is some of the most clever music and staging that made "Urinetown" an award-winning production, said Short.
"You will see take-offs on 'West Side Story,' 'Fiddler on the Roof,' and 'Les Miserables,'" said Short, a self-proclaimed musical theater freak. "I think the audience will pick up on those similarities."
But even folks who have no musical theater background, will smile at such songs as "It's a Privilege to Pee," Short said. One group which will be part of opening weekend is Siouxland Urology Associates P.C. Lamb Productions will also be serving a special drink, the Tinkler (a sparkling wine and orange juice) and the Wee Tinkler, a nonalcoholic version.
"Urinetown" opens Friday and runs through April 6 at Lamb Productions, 417 Market St. The show does not play over Easter weekend. Curtain is 7:30 p.m. with two matinees at 1:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $23 for Friday/Saturday; adult Thursday/Sunday are $21 and senior citizens and students on Thursday/Sunday are $18. Tickets are available at the door or by calling the box office, Monday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. at 255-9536.
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