The setting is a dry dystopian future, ravaged by drought and corporate greed, so it’s really something that Urinetown, the Musical, a play about having to pay to use the bathroom, could be so brilliantly hilarious and melodic. This lively and celebrated production by Mark Hollmann (music and lyrics) and Greg Kotis (book and lyrics), which debuted in 2001 with direction by John Rando and is here directed by the U Theatre’s assistant professor David Eggers, paints a darkly comedic look at what happens when a community’s water supply is dangerously low.
Opening its two-weekend run in the U’s Babcock Theatre on April 3 and running through April 12, this is the final production of the Department of Theatre’s 25-26 season. It’s a banger to end on as we melt in one of the warmest and dryest winters in our state’s recorded history.
While the premise—making people pay to pee because of a severe water shortage—may have been an unthinkable possibility when originally written over two decades ago, staging this play now, in megadrought Utah, lands a little more like a warning than just a joke (though singing and dancing with plungers will probably always get a laugh).
Dramaturg and associate professor Sydney Cheek-O’Donnell noted parallels between the play’s fictitious Urine Good Company, the private organization with close ties to the government that has successfully lobbied for the privatization of all bathrooms, to modern-day instances of moneyed interests that end up denying the poor basic necessities, even to the extent of criminalizing poverty.
Even with an ominously fortuitous message, the musical’s unique construction and writing makes it feel both familiar and far-fetched, and an absolute delight to experience.
“I love that this show parodies and pays homage to multiple other musicals, and as the director/choreographer, it was really fun to both create and teach choreography referencing these other iconic musicals,” said Eggers. “If you're a fan of musicals, you'll recognize some very direct nods to West Side Story, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, and more. Our ensemble in the show gets to dance all these different styles, and I think that the variety—from number to number—makes this show so much fun to do and to watch!”
The cast agrees, and this play holds a special place in the hearts of several senior cast members who had performed this play in high school.
“One of the most significant things for me about this show has been being able to see my own progress in my training,” said Maria Moesinger. “I played Hope my senior year of high school, and now I'm playing her again my senior year of college; being able to compare the two performances and just how much I've grown as an artist through my education here at the U these past 4 years has been so encouraging and exciting. My professors clearly knew what they were doing!”
Nostalgia, urinals, cops, and greed abound in this action-packed, vibrant, hysterical tale of drought and woe. And don’t worry, all restrooms can be used free of charge by patrons to the play.
“In Urinetown, we know that the people failed to heed the warning signs of an imminent water crisis, which led to the Stink Years. Urine Good Company’s evil president and owner Cladwell’s iron grip on bathrooms, insistence on raising prices, and criminalization of basic bodily functions among the poor create the conditions for a revolution,” Cheek-O’Donnell said. “Will the revolution end happily, with all citizens being free to pee when and where they want? Or will the Stink Years return? You’ll have to see the show to find out.”
URINETOWN THE MUSICAL
Book & Lyrics by Greg Kotis
Music & Lyrics by Mark Hollman
Directed by David Eggers
Babcock Theatre
300 South 1400 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Accessibility information
Performance Dates & Times
Fri, 4/3 @ 7:30 pm
Sat, 4/4 @ 2 pm
Sat, 4/4 @ 7:30 pm
Sun, 4/5 @ 7:30 pm
Thurs, 4/9 @ 7:30 pm
Fri, 4/10 @ 7:30 pm
Sat, 4/11 @ 2 pm
Sat, 4/11 @ 7:30 pm
Sun, 4/12 @ 2 pm
ASL Interpreter
ASL interpreted performance and audience talkback Apr. 10 (by request, which must be made to
URINETOWN is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com