BWW Reviews: TSU-San Marcos Presents Wonderfully Silly URINETOWN

Early on in the ridiculously funny and often self-referential musical Urinetown, now playing at Texas State University San Marcos Department of Theatre and Dance, Officer Lockstock and Little Sally share their thoughts about what could kill a musical. "What about bad subject matter?" asks Little Sally. "Or a bad title, even? That could kill a show pretty good."

While Urinetown may have an unconventional subject matter (you'd be hard pressed to think of another musical that focuses so heavily on bodily functions), it doesn't kill the show at all. This may not be your grandma's musical, but (please forgive the litany of bad puns you're about to read) it's a piss-your-pants funny show. Joke after joke whiz by as the show flushes musical theater conventions down the drain.

Urinetown is a delightfully silly satire in which a 20 year drought has caused the government to outlaw the use of private toilets. All citizens now have to pay to pee or suffer the consequences, and when the monopolizing Urine Good Company raises the pee fee, the people revolt. Though the plot may be absolutely ridiculous, the madcap score by Mark Hollman, book by Greg Kotis, and lyrics by both are so damn fun and purposefully absurd that the show easily succeeds at winning over even the most skeptical of audience members.

Director Kaitlin Hopkins constantly brings the satire to the forefront by using lots of camp and melodrama to create a hysterical parody. Not only does the piece serve as a political satire, but it also wonderfully sends up Broadway musicals like West Side Story, Les Miserables, Guys and Dolls and Fiddler on the Roof. Every moment moves the bizarre story forward and makes us laugh along the way. The choreography by Cassie Abate matches Hopkins's comedic tone with plenty of humorous moves, and each number is showy, complex, and better than the last.

The design team, comprised of all BFA students, puts in some incredible work as well, all of which creates a fully realized dystopian world. The set by Andy Forbes is dirty, shabby and beige. This is truly a world void of hope where everything seems to be made of wires, metal, and trash bags. Desiree Humphries's costumes borrow mostly from Depression Era Dust Bowl fashions and grungy 80s rock looks, and the wacky Tim Burton-esqe hair and make-up design (which are uncredited in the program) pair wonderfully with the costumes. Patrick Crossland completes the look with some harsh, smoky lighting.

But it's the incredibly talented cast that really makes this production of Urinetown a memorable romp. This is unquestionably one of the most professional and hardest-working group of college performers I have ever seen. The entire ensemble creates nuanced and eccentric characters. Gino Chaviano as Hot Blades Harry and Gianna Yanelli as Little Becky Two Shoes are particularly fun to watch, and their zany characters bring down the house when they lead the Act II number "Snuff That Girl."

Of the supporting cast, there are plenty of fantastic performances, starting with Gabriel Bernal as narrator Officer Lockstock. Bernal plays Lockstock as gruff and dry as he can, to quite amusing affect. As toilet operator Penelope Pennywise, Betty Marie Muessig is wonderfully stern and tough. She's a natural at bawdy characters like Mrs. Pennywise, and she turns her big song "A Privilege to Pee" is a show-stopping character number.

The strong supporting performances continue with Sydney Roberts. As Little Sally, Roberts is a hilarious, quirky know-it-all. Her comedic timing is perfect, and her mannerisms are adorable. Rounding out the supporting cast is Phillip Cole White as the menacing and manipulative Caldwell B. Cladwell, who due to the smart costume design evokes images of Batman's Joker circa 1960. There's nothing like a good villain, and it's clear by his winks and wry smiles that White delights in the role. He plays Cladwell as a cartoony, sneaky, evil tyrant whose appetite for money is rivaled only by his penchant for secretaries in miniskirts. Villains are rarely as entertaining as this.

Of course, the two heroes are remarkable as well. As Hope Cladwell, Natalie Rankin is bubbly, effervescent, and charming. Like the rest of the cast, Rankin possesses incredible comedic timing and charm by the bucket load. She also has plenty of chemistry with her counterpart, Glenn DeVar. As Bobby Strong, DeVar is a resilient hero with a clear, tender voice and matinee idol looks. As DeVar is a sophomore, it's safe to say we'll see more incredible work from him at TSU-San Marcos over the next couple years, and I'm confident that he'll have a successful career after graduation.

With its stellar direction, eye-catching choreography, detailed design work, and incredible performances, Urinetown is quite possibly the most polished and enjoyable college musical I've ever seen, and that includes my own alma mater's solid production from 2006. Without a doubt, if you see TSU-San Marcos's current production of Urinetown, you're in for a good time.

Running time: 2 hours and 10 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission.

URINETOWN plays the University Mainstage Theatre at Texas State University-San Marcos Department of Theatre and Dance now thru Sunday, April 21^st. University Mainstage Theatre is located at 430 Moon St, San Marcos, TX. Performances are April 19^th - April 21^st at 7:30pm and April 21^st at 2pm. Tickets are $12 general and $7 students.

For tickets and information, please visit http://www.theatreanddance.txstate.edu/Productions/2012-2013.html

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