I don’t like musicals. And for some reason I usually have a hard time staying awake for any kind of live performance. Bill Maher in Albany earlier this month is an exception to the latter, and Home Made Theater‘s hilarious and well-crafted production of Urinetown is an exception to both.
Last night following dinner at the Principesa Elena Italian Men’s Club, Jen and I headed to Saratoga’s theater in the park to see Urinetown. Earlier this week I was somehow able to score front-row tickets to the sold-out show. It was the first time either of us had sat in the front row for any show, so that was a whole new experience, too. It really felt like we were part of the action. In some scenes, the characters actually jumped down onto the floor right in front of us, so that was surreal.
Anyway, Urinetown is a musical that pokes fun at other musicals. And since I’m not really a musical fan, I only got a couple of the references. But even so, the show is hilarious on its own.
Urinetown is the story of a struggle between rich and poor — in a place and time where the poor pay the rich to pee in public amenity #9. It’s also the story of depleting resources — there’s not enough water to go around, and the show takes place following a major drought. So there are also some important social undercurrents in the show.
With song titles like “Privilege To Pee” and “Don’t Be the Bunny,” the show is non-stop fun and an evening of laughs.
If you live here in Saratoga Springs, go see the show while you still can! You’ll also be supporting great local theater.
Congrats to the entire cast and crew who put on this great production!
