In this side-splitting satire directed by Teddy Bergman (KPOP), a young hero fights to create change in a dystopian world where water is scarce and “Hope” is even scarcer. Set in a city facing a drought, all citizens must now pay a fee for “The Privilege to Pee” at one of the public facilities controlled by a selfish tycoon.
With an incisive score by Tony winner Mark Hollmann, fourth-wall-breaking humor by Hollman and Tony winner Greg Kotis, and a plot with thrilling twists and turns, Urinetown examines the darkest dilemmas of humanity, all while being “audacious and exhilarating” (The New York Times). In this Tony-winning musical, nothing is safe from criticism—capitalism, politics, the establishment, the anti-establishment, and even musical theater itself!
Director Teddy Bergman has complete control of his forces. Choreographer Mayte Natalio especially keeps the ensemble on the nifty move. Encores! music director Mary-Mitchell Cambell derives cheer and grit from the band, beginning with the Brecht-Weill-esque overture (Bruce Coughlin, the orchestrator). Producing Creative Director Clint Ramos designed the bursting-with-color set, featuring fancy toilet doors anybody would be pleased to enter.
A major problem with the City Center production (directed by the little-known Teddy Bergman) is that the venue is too large for “Urinetown,” which is a minimalist work that benefits from an environmental feel. It brings back memories of when City Center used to revive Off-Broadway musicals over the summer as part of its Off-Center series, which has been on hiatus since 2019.
2001 | Off-Broadway |
Original Off-Broadway Production Off-Broadway |
2001 | Broadway |
Broadway Transfer Broadway |
2003 | US Tour |
National Tour US Tour |
2004 | Toronto |
Canadian Premiere Toronto |
2006 | Chicago |
Chicago Production Chicago |
2014 | West End |
West End Premiere Production West End |
2014 | West End |
Apollo Theatre Transfer West End |
2025 | Off-Broadway |
Encores! Concert Revival Production Off-Broadway |
Videos