'Urinetown' is a musically fun place to go

By Dave Howell
Special to The Morning Call

If you're in town, ''Urinetown'' might be the place to be. The official Web site for this Broadway musical, now at the Pennsylvania Playhouse, calls it a ''neo-Brechtian absurdist melodrama.'' It is actually more Benny Hill than Brecht, and more Stooges than Sondheim. But it should appeal to your innate sense of humor.

This satire of Broadway musicals imagines an anti-utopia where all water is owned by the giant Urine Good Company. No private bathrooms are allowed and poor people must wait in line for the pay public toilets. In this world, as the title of the second song explains, ''It's a Privilege to Pee.'' Those who break the rules are sent to the mysterious Urinetown.

One resident who is exiled is Old Man Strong (Gene Connelly), father of the play's hero Bobby (Rob Callan Adams), who works for restroom owner Ms. Pennywise (Marla Endick). Bobby's rebellion against the system is complicated when he falls in love with sweet, naïve Hope (Carolyn Shemwell), daughter of the villainous president of UGC, Caldwell B. Cladwell (Nelson Rabenold).

Throughout, Officer Lockstock (Ralph Montesano) and Little Sally (Lori Sivick) step out of the actionto comment about the play.

Lockstock's partner (Jim Tully) is named Barrel. To give you an example what you are in for, at one point, there is a call for all law enforcement, Lockstock and Barrel. There is nothing really offensive.

The cast of 25 is terrific both acting and singing, providing just the right feel to get the maximum number of laughs.

The play is a bit long — 21/2 hours. But directors Chip Rohrbach (book) and Butch DiMinico (music) know exactly how to present it, which is to play everything straight and let the gags come out naturally. The five-piece orchestra of two pianos, bass, clarinet, and trombone adds a lot to the musical numbers.

''Urinetown,'' 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Pennsylvania Playhouse, Illick's Mill Road, Bethlehem. Tickets: $18; $15, seniors and students Fridays and Sundays. 610-865-6665, http://www.paplayhouse.org .

Dave Howell is a freelance writer.

Jodi Duckett,

Arts and Entertainment Editor

jodi.duckett@mcall.com