Urinetown: the Review! With multimedia!
Sep. 19th, 2005 07:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ladybranwenSadly, I think that was the same subject title I used when I saw it in Tampa. But, this was quite the different production, or so it seemed to me.
For one thing, the theatre is quite small, so small that I had to walk on the stage to get to my seat. It is also a theatre in 3/4, which makes it quite perfect for a show like Urinetown with the whole audience interaction, under theatricalism principles. I was sitting on the left side, so while I had a perfect view of Public Amenety #9, seeing all of the entrances from my side, and even high kicking Mr. Cladwell, was a bit more difficult. It probably didn't help that I was right on the left aisle of the left side. But, we did get Officer Lockstock telling us about the importance of hydration before the show started. Yes, they had the cops patrolling the audience before the show. And the poor people fell asleep on the street awaiting the opening of the bathroom, and the show.
I loved being that close to the stage, it was so nice to see expressions, though there were times that the actors had a hard time keeping their expressions. Like when Hope was getting kidnapped, I could have sworn she was laughing her heart out. There were other times like that. In the opening, it seemed that Little Sally and Robby the Stock Fish were having a little flirtation the way they were giving each other little smiles. But overall, I would have to say that it was lots better seeing it that close compared to the balcony of the vast expanse of a theatre at TBPAC when I saw the tour.
We begin with the band coming in being led in chains across the stage and up the stairs to their hole on the stage by Officer Barrel. He had a pair of awful black glasses that I was fearful would fall off during the "Don't Be the Bunny" song. Then we get to Too Much Exposition/Urinetown. But you all knew that. And when Officer Lockstock would say, "Urinetown: the Musical" he enjoyed using spirit fingers, and did them quite well.
The dancing was something special. At one point in Look at the Sky, I belive, they were doing the stylish dance move of well, I can't remember the name of it. It starts with clapping your hands on your thighs, then clapping your hands together, and I don't think I can explain this well. Let's just say that it was bad dance floor dance moves all around. Actually, Little Becky Two Shoes (who by the way had a wonderful pratfall after she had her brace removed), was the choreographer of the show. I never knew that a pregnant woman could dance so well! She and Little Sally did a wondeful dance number during "Snuff that Girl". Oh! And they even did the whole Fiddler encore complete with Officer Lockstock twirling Little Sally around.
Some of my favorite lines, though, were not as emphasized as much. Such as, "They have one, two, two cops... and we're all so poor!" That line always amused me, but not so much this time. Here, you can listen to it in the Act One Finale. But, the girls waving the toilet paper rolls during the Act One Finale could give the flag wavers from Les Miz a run for their money they were that good.
Little Sally had a bunny that had a basket attached to store her pennies. I guess they were going for the whole "Don't Be the Bunny" theme. She liked to drag it around by the ears. Mr. Cladwell and the UGC staff were a delight in that song, by the way. Hoppity-hop-hop like little bunnies.
Since it was a theatre in the not-quite round, and the actors were unmiked, there were times that it was harder to hear them. Especially when they weren't facing you and everyone else was singing and the band was going. But it only happened a few times, so not that bad.
As mentioned before, during the scene when Cladwell declared that Bobby was bound for Urinetown, I had to tell myself that this was a musical and he really wasn't going to die, thus I did not need to jump the stage. The audience, especially since it was filled with old people got into it quite a bit. I was afraid it would be like that old lady I sat next to in Florida. Of course, I wasn't totally free of stupid people in the theatre, as the lady in front of me stood up not once, but twice during the middle of the show, rummaged around in her bag during "Follow Your Heart" for some water. Drank said water, and talked to her friend. To make up for that, there was an older couple facing me, and during "Follow Your Heart" the woman reached over and took hold of her husband's hand and they held hands during the song. I'm usually not one for pda, but it was so cute!
Ok, it is late and I'm getting tired. So instead of blabbing on and on anymore, I leave you with the only picture of Boston!Bobby I could find (well, there was a B&W one, but it wasn't half as near as this one).
For one thing, the theatre is quite small, so small that I had to walk on the stage to get to my seat. It is also a theatre in 3/4, which makes it quite perfect for a show like Urinetown with the whole audience interaction, under theatricalism principles. I was sitting on the left side, so while I had a perfect view of Public Amenety #9, seeing all of the entrances from my side, and even high kicking Mr. Cladwell, was a bit more difficult. It probably didn't help that I was right on the left aisle of the left side. But, we did get Officer Lockstock telling us about the importance of hydration before the show started. Yes, they had the cops patrolling the audience before the show. And the poor people fell asleep on the street awaiting the opening of the bathroom, and the show.
I loved being that close to the stage, it was so nice to see expressions, though there were times that the actors had a hard time keeping their expressions. Like when Hope was getting kidnapped, I could have sworn she was laughing her heart out. There were other times like that. In the opening, it seemed that Little Sally and Robby the Stock Fish were having a little flirtation the way they were giving each other little smiles. But overall, I would have to say that it was lots better seeing it that close compared to the balcony of the vast expanse of a theatre at TBPAC when I saw the tour.
We begin with the band coming in being led in chains across the stage and up the stairs to their hole on the stage by Officer Barrel. He had a pair of awful black glasses that I was fearful would fall off during the "Don't Be the Bunny" song. Then we get to Too Much Exposition/Urinetown. But you all knew that. And when Officer Lockstock would say, "Urinetown: the Musical" he enjoyed using spirit fingers, and did them quite well.
The dancing was something special. At one point in Look at the Sky, I belive, they were doing the stylish dance move of well, I can't remember the name of it. It starts with clapping your hands on your thighs, then clapping your hands together, and I don't think I can explain this well. Let's just say that it was bad dance floor dance moves all around. Actually, Little Becky Two Shoes (who by the way had a wonderful pratfall after she had her brace removed), was the choreographer of the show. I never knew that a pregnant woman could dance so well! She and Little Sally did a wondeful dance number during "Snuff that Girl". Oh! And they even did the whole Fiddler encore complete with Officer Lockstock twirling Little Sally around.
Some of my favorite lines, though, were not as emphasized as much. Such as, "They have one, two, two cops... and we're all so poor!" That line always amused me, but not so much this time. Here, you can listen to it in the Act One Finale. But, the girls waving the toilet paper rolls during the Act One Finale could give the flag wavers from Les Miz a run for their money they were that good.
Little Sally had a bunny that had a basket attached to store her pennies. I guess they were going for the whole "Don't Be the Bunny" theme. She liked to drag it around by the ears. Mr. Cladwell and the UGC staff were a delight in that song, by the way. Hoppity-hop-hop like little bunnies.
Since it was a theatre in the not-quite round, and the actors were unmiked, there were times that it was harder to hear them. Especially when they weren't facing you and everyone else was singing and the band was going. But it only happened a few times, so not that bad.
As mentioned before, during the scene when Cladwell declared that Bobby was bound for Urinetown, I had to tell myself that this was a musical and he really wasn't going to die, thus I did not need to jump the stage. The audience, especially since it was filled with old people got into it quite a bit. I was afraid it would be like that old lady I sat next to in Florida. Of course, I wasn't totally free of stupid people in the theatre, as the lady in front of me stood up not once, but twice during the middle of the show, rummaged around in her bag during "Follow Your Heart" for some water. Drank said water, and talked to her friend. To make up for that, there was an older couple facing me, and during "Follow Your Heart" the woman reached over and took hold of her husband's hand and they held hands during the song. I'm usually not one for pda, but it was so cute!
Ok, it is late and I'm getting tired. So instead of blabbing on and on anymore, I leave you with the only picture of Boston!Bobby I could find (well, there was a B&W one, but it wasn't half as near as this one).
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no subject
Date: 2005-09-20 07:12 am (UTC)But what are "spirit fingers"? :-)
no subject
Date: 2005-09-21 03:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-20 11:23 pm (UTC)I have hope that Sacramento Music Circus might put it on one of these years. Thanks for the review, and things! :)
no subject
Date: 2005-09-21 03:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-21 05:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-21 05:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-21 05:17 am (UTC)However, Brad Little would be great, or Brian Noonan would be creepy and great, and I think William Michaels would be off-balance and great too.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-21 03:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-21 05:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-21 05:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-21 05:18 am (UTC)