When you gotta go, you gotta go.
No one has learned this lesson better than the folks behind that horribly named Broadway hit, “Urinetown.” Alas, this multiple Tony-award-winning (Best Book, Best Director and Best Original Musical Score) satire on a futuristic police state in which citizens must “pay to pee,” has run out of gas. Well, actually, it’s merely losing its home.
Having survived the vagaries of Fringe Festival-dom and off-Broadway status, it moved into the Henry Miller Theater August 2001 and was only supposed to remain there until March 2002. Previously, the original “Cabaret” had been at home there in its (purposely) seedy environment. At that time, theater owner Douglas Durst planned to reconstruct the tiny space, adding almost 400 seats. But that plan was happily put on hold when, despite the nose-holding title became a certified hit. Adding to that was the reluctance on the part of neighboring businesses and restaurants to relinquish their precious spaces, necessary for a large-scale architectural vision that included a skyscraper.
Now, despite some recent cast changes and a spurt in sales, those plans are forging ahead, forcing the little show that could to end its hold on the W. 43rd location (just east of Broadway). The new cast features Chalres Shaunessy (Fran Drescher’s television boss from “The Nanny”), Carolee Carmello, Luther Creek, and Amy Spanger. Jeff McCarthy, still performing from the original cast and Spencer Kayden, the winsome “Little Sally,” has joyfully returned to the show.
The wickedly twisted plot takes place in a city where all the toilets are owned by a corporation headed by the evil corporate monster (played by Charles Shaughnessy). Garnering mostly all rave reviews, it’s a fantastic satire with original music and dance that sends up Broadway stalwarts like “Les Miserables.”
Closing on January 18, you would be wise to pay up and see what all the fuss was about. Get over the title, it might still be one of the freshest musicals in town.
Henry Miller Theater
124 W. 43rd St.
Tickets $85
