Theater Reviews

Mar 13, 2006 - The Truckee Meadows Community College's energized and entertaining "Urinetown"

By Jack Neal

Let cartoons, be cartoons, but... You're probably thinking what I'm thinking: "Urinetown: The Musical" is no name for a musical - even a cartoon.

Well... if Stephen Sondheim can write a cannibal musical about making pies out of men someone doesn't like - "Sweeney Tod" starring Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou - why can't Greg Kotis (book and lyrics) and Mark Hollmann (music and lyrics) write a musical spoof about having to pay exorbitant fees to some jerk cad just to pee in a town's johns.

In some sardonic way, could "Urinetown" be a latent Freudian commentary on the Truckee Meadows Water Authority hidden in the dark recesses of the subconscious?

With a nod in the direction of the Patriot Act, enough said about that. Especially when "Urinetown: The Musical," an energized spoof of musicals big and small, comes off as winningly as it does in the Truckee Meadows Community College presentation now playing at the Redfield Performing Arts Center near downtown Reno.

The principal players are all excellent, and - with the exception of a few being somewhat challenged as singers of note - well cast. The real stars, however, of this two-and-one-half-hour show (including intermission) are all the gypsies, a host of wonderful singers and dancers, pouring everything they have into making the show a crowd pleaser.

And please it does.

I dare anyone, with the possible exception of Ebenezer Scrooge before his redemption, to come away from this TMCC musical extravanganza not loving each and every member of this charismatic troupe.

Hollman's score, while not specifically memorable in promoting a hit, has lots of song and dance numbers that are simply irresistible. "Don't Be the Bunny" is infectious and hilarious. "Run Freedom Run" is drop-dead gospel and it's given a raise-the-roof rendering that shakes the rafters. "We're Not Sorry" has finger snapping sizzle. "What is Urinetown?" with its pull-a-muscle exuberance has the cast doing everything but leap the Grand Canyon.

The really good news is that there's more, much more - from the ensemble and from the show's principal players - that pleases beyond wildest expectations.

As the penny pinching Penelope Pennywise a stagewise Pilar Lavelle sings with gleeful sleeziness the show's paean to nonsense, "It's A Privilege to Pee." Susan R. Lang scores solidly as Little Sally, the kid with the big heart and even bigger stuffed animals. With resonant voice and much excellent singing Rod Hearn's Officer Lockstock comes precariously close to a laying on of hands for the very cute Little Sally, while - thank heavens - managing enough restraint to savor being the show's official unofficlal charge d'affaires. A very at-home-on-stage Bud Perry (Officer Barrel) is Lockstock's sneering sidekick.

The cadish Caldwell B. Cladwell, the corruption king audiences love to hate, is in the grand good hands of Phil Harriman who knows a glad hand when he sees one. As "Urinetown's" romantic leads - and in a toilet musical romance isn't easy - John Frederick is a strong Bobby Strong and Summer Schopper is a plucky and willing Hope Caldwell.

The flowsy looking Little Becky Two Shoes, as embodied by the schlumping around presence of Janina Brown, is - for me - the show's best look. John Simpson (Mr. McQueen) is a poster boy for corruption's right hand man. Bradford Kai'ai'ai (Joseph 'Old Man' Strong), Bernadette Garcia (Josephine 'Old Ma' Strong), Lynn Carasali (Mrs. Millenium) - plus everyone else - deserve credit, kudos and applause.

Credit, kudos and applause also to director Paul Alberasturi for making this collage of characters and events so much fun and work so well; music director Ted Owens for his excellent choral and instrumental work; choreographer Catherine Eardley for her electrifying inventions in musical comedy dance; Carolyn Wray's wildly messy costumes; and Ty Hagar's imaginative cesspool lighting and set designs.

"Urinetown: The Musical" can be seen at the Redfield Performing Arts Center, Keystone Square Shopping Center at Keystone and West Fourth Streets, Reno, Nevada, March 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 17, 18 (2006) at 7:30 p.m. and March 11, 12, 18. 19 (2006) at 2 p.m. For reservations call 775-789-5671.