‘Urinetown’ tackles usual Broadway themes with humor, satire

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Jordan Chaddock portrays Bobby and Christine Parry stars as Hope in the Portage Community Theatre production "Urinetown: The Musical." | Provided Photo

Updated: March 25, 2012 8:05AM

Imagine a future where a 20-year drought has made water such a sought-after item that having a toilet in your own home is unthinkably expensive and a private corporation now operates the only places to relieve yourself — public toilets.

The Portage Community Theatre will present “Urinetown,” a musical about this possible future, opening this weekend.

“It has a quirky kind of humor that isn’t in most shows,” says Kristen De Boer, the director. “It is very smart and intelligent and will offer the actors and the audience something that they haven’t experienced before.”

“Urinetown” premiered in 2001, but is not a mainstream musical, leaving the characters, the music and the story somewhat of a mystery to the audience.

“We just hope people will give this show with a crazy title and bathroom subject matter a chance and will come and see this hilarious show,” De Boer said.

Though the play is humorous and satirical, the themes explored in “Urinetown” — greed, corruption, love and revolution — are not very different from many blockbuster Broadway shows.

“The best thing this show has to offer is the ability to draw musical and nonmusical people alike,” says Christine Parry, one of the actors in the show. “The show is witty with several layers of humor that everyone can enjoy.”

Being a musical, “Urine-town” also provides plenty of big numbers with dancing and singing.

Choreographer Kathleen Dominiak said her favorite number in show is “Cop Song.”

In the end, you can’t take a show called “Urinetown” too seriously. It is a show to be enjoyed because of its satirical takes on musical theater and the melodrama of modern life.

“It’s a show about peeing, what’s not to enjoy?” actor Jordan Chaddock said.