When a show is named “Urinetown,” you expect some people to be turned off.
But that hasn’t stopped the juggernaut success of “Urinetown,” a triple Tony Award-winning musical that opens Tuesday at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre for eight performances.
The splashy musical, which started way, way off-Broadway, went on to win 2002 Tonys for best direction, book and music and lyrics. It’s the national touring production that arrives in Seattle next week.
Here’s the story: A big city is suffering from a long and devastating drought, and as a result no one is allowed to have their own bathroom.
The population must use pay toilets to relieve themselves. These are owned and operated by the oppressive Urine Good Company, a fascist-like enterprise. Break the law and you are sent to the dreaded Urinetown.
The citizens are chaffing. Can a revolution be far behind?
“Urinetown,” created by Greg Kotis and Mark Hollman, has its share of potty jokes, but the show has been well-received for its music and an inventive plot that is both silly and has something to say.
“Urinetown” plays through May 30.
“Shadowlands”: Taproot Theatre Company presents William Nicholson’s “Shadowlands,” the love story of Oxford scholar C.S. Lewis and American poet Joy Gresham. The show opens tonight at the company’s Seattle theater where it plays through June 19.
“Shadowlands” began as a television movie for the BBC in 1986, was adapted for the stage in 1989 and became a feature-length film, which earned an Academy Award nomination in 1993.
Oxford don C.S. Lewis, a writer and theologian, has a safe and scholarly approach to life that is challenged by Gresham, an outspoken American who upsets him with her bold ideas.
To his surprise, he falls unexpectedly and deeply in love with her, but within a short while, Joy is diagnosed with cancer and their relationship takes on a new and deeper dimension.
The cast features Jeff Berryman as C.S. Lewis and Nikki Visel Whitfield as Joy Gresham.
“Fortinbras”: A wild comic sequel to “Hamlet” (featuring a 10-minute “Hamlet” as a prequel) continues this weekend at Everett Community College.
What happens after Hamlet dies? When last we left Elsinore, Horatio was wishing for flights of singing angels, everyone else was dead and the young Fortinbras was arriving just in time to be declared the new King of Denmark. So, what happened next?
“Fortinbras” follows the ineffectual efforts of the hapless Fortinbras as he tries to rule devastated Denmark wisely if not quite honestly.
Amid all the fun are some serious questions about the validity of written history and the power of the state to change it to suit its needs.
The comedy is not suitable for children.
Joan Marcus photo
The cast of “Urinetown,” opening at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle.
Where to see it
“Urinetown”: Tuesday through Sunday at the Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle. Tickets at Ticketmaster outlets, 206-292-ARTS, www.ticketmaster.com.
“Shadowlands”: A Taproot Theatre production tonight through June 19 at Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., Seattle. Tickets, $18-$28, 206-781-9707.
“Fortinbras”: 7 p.m. today and Saturday, Baker Hall Auditorium (B-120), Everett Community College, 2000 Tower St., Everett. Admission is by donation. Parking on campus by permit only; permits available in the Security Office in the Parks Student Union. 425-388-9525.
Where to see it
“Urinetown”: Tuesday through May 30 at the Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle. Tickets at Ticketmaster outlets, 206-292-ARTS, www.ticketmaster.com.
“Shadowlands”: A Taproot Theatre production tonight through June 19 at Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., Seattle. Tickets, $18-$28, 206-781-9707.
“Fortinbras”: 7 p.m. today and Saturday, Baker Hall Auditorium (B-120), Everett Community College, 2000 Tower St., Everett. Admission is by donation. Parking on campus by permit only; permits available in the Security Office in the Parks Student Union. 425-388-9525.
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