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Tony winner is flush with talent
TOM TITUS
Daily Pilot September 2, 2005
The Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse has kicked off the new community
theater season in rip-roaring style, mounting a terrific production
of the multiple Tony Award-winning musical "Urinetown."
In fact, the playhouse's production compares favorably with the
touring professional version, which played at the Orange County
Performing Arts Center last season.
Packing such a sprawling show into the playhouse's limited
dimensions is a Herculean task, but director Greg Zerkle -- himself
a Broadway veteran -- and his talented and energetic cast have
accomplished this mission splendidly.
"Urinetown" is not your typical evening of musical theater -- even
the show's characters poke fun at the title. And when
conductor-keyboardist Izumi Kashiwagi is led to her position in
handcuffs at the start of the show, you realize you're in for
something completely different.
Creators Mark Hollman (music and lyrics) and Greg Kotis (book and
lyrics) sought to revolutionize musical theater with their story of
repression and revolt. The musical's characters -- chiefly Officer
Lockstock (Ed McBride in the Costa Mesa production) and Little Sally
(Heather Zavala) -- make periodic observations on its departure from
traditional styling.
The show focuses on a futuristic period following a lengthy drought,
in which water is at a premium and relieving oneself comes at a
price, with public "amenities" controlled by a greedy corporation,
Urine Good Company. When the corporate vultures boost the tab, a
miniature "Les Miserables" ensues, complete with a flag-waving
peasant.
At the show's center is a love story, with a rebellious amenity
assistant (David R. Gordon) falling for the gorgeous but vacuous
daughter of the corporation's mogul (Heather White). Both bring high
energy and superior singing voices to their assignments.
Officer Lockstock -- teamed with another cop called Officer Barrel
(Cathy Petz) -- is the link between the show and the audience,
doling out exposition to a teddy bear-tugging urchin, Little Sally.
The latter is a standout performance by Zavala, an Estancia High
School graduate following in the footsteps of another, Spencer
Kayden, who created this role on Broadway.
Ryan Holihan has some show-stopping moments, first as Gordon's
feisty father -- sent to the dreaded Urinetown for relieving himself
without paying the tribute -- then as a bloodthirsty rebel.
Elizabeth Bouton excels as the hardened amenity chief, as does
Stephanie Thomas as Gordon's mother.
The smarmy corporate dictator, as interpreted by Marc Montminy,
comes off with a Jon Lovitz flair, while John Blaylock gleefully
portrays the slimy senator in his pocket. Other notable performances
come from Stephen Hulsey, Melissa B. Scott, Derek Houck, Jesica
Morrow, A.J. Gutierrez and John Schwendinger.
Musically, the satire overshadows the melody in such numbers as
"Privilege to Pee" and "Follow Your Heart."
The show's funniest musical moments come as Montminy advises his
daughter, "Don't Be the Bunny," as the cast congregates for a bunny
hop; and the rebels' "Snuff That Girl," as bound-and-gagged hostage
White joins in with her limited mobility, and the cast conducts a
"Cool"-type riff reminiscent of "West Side Story."
"Urinetown" arrives just as the playhouse has eliminated Thursday
evening performances. When word of this one gets around, they just
might have to reinstate them.
TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His
reviews appear Fridays.
Read the review in the
Daily Pilot
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