Urinetown - The Little Theatre of Savannah

With the summer bearing down, how better to spend your evening than with a night of musical splendor? You, ladies and gents, are in luck, because The Little Theatre of Savannah is offering just such an event: Kotis and Hollmann's Urinetown.

Set in a dark future of drought and fear, Urinetown follows both sides of a world where one must pay for the most basic human need: the need to use the bathroom. On one side we have Bobby Strong (Ryan McCurdy), an optimistic young man with a desire to change the world around him. On the other side, we have Caldwell B. Cladwell (Les Taylor), the bigwig in charge of the corporation responsible for charging for the world with the fee to pee. Somewhere in between is Hope Cladwell (Courtney Lane), torn between impressing her father and following her heart.

Right off the bat we are informed that this will not be a "happy musical". This is absolutely true. However, that doesn't mean that Urinetown isn't an incredible show. In fact, it is one of the most entertaining shows that the Little Theatre of Savannah had ever put on. Director Jeffrey DeVincent has shaped a show as disarming and engaging as Savannah has yet seen. The cast is a well-oiled machine, utilizing some of the finest talent that Savannah has to offer.

No one in Urinetown is expendable, but it was hard to take ones eyes off of many of its players. Ryan McCurdy and Courtney Lane have outstanding presence (not to mention singing chops) as the show's young lovers. As Officer Lockstock, Eric Kildow is a magnificent narrator, and his chemistry with fellow Officer Barrel (Darwin Hull) is hysterical. Balancing wonderfully with our narrator as Little Sally is Clare H. Ward. And what musical would be complete without a villain? Les Taylor absolutely steals the show as Caldwell B. Cladwell. Indeed, it is difficult to focus on anyone else when he takes the stage.

Urinetown reminds us that Savannah not only needs fun musicals, but unique ones. And Urinetown fits the bill. The Savannah Dramaturgy can only hope that future productions match it for both talent and memorability.