The Masque takes the pee out of politics

By Kathryn Bergin
Collegian Staff
November 14, 2007

Taking a break from shows that are a little dated, La Salle’s theater group The Masque opened up the 2007-2008 performing season with Urinetown, a musical satire that raises many questions about corporations and why society allows them to have control.

Mike Dao-Stephan Q. Clanton, here with Nina Ross, steals the show in Urinetown.

Urinetown tells the story of an unnamed town going through a terrible drought. With water consumption being very important, the residents of the town must pay to “use public bathrooms in order to take care of their private business.” Most of the town members are poor and are scraping together just enough coins to take care of their morning business.

The public amenities are controlled by Urine Good Company (UGC), which has a monopoly over all of the public amenities in town. When Bobby Strong (sophomore psychology major Stephan Q. Clanton), a public amenity attendant, meets Hope Cladwell (junior chemistry/biochemistry major Pamela Woodward), daughter of UGC’s CEO, Caldwell B. Cladwell (junior biology/chemistry and economics major Doug Phelan), they realize they both want the same thing in life.

“We all want a world, filled with peace and joy, with plenty of water, for each girl and boy… no meanness or sorrow, just cleanness tomorrow…” The two share an intimate duet called “Follow Your Heart.” Clanton and Woodward performed this song perfectly. This song also sets up the rest of the show. The two share a kiss, and fall in love.

With a sudden raise in fee to use the public amenity, Bobby decides to lead a rebellion. Unfortunately, Hope is kidnapped by the townsfolk. Luckily, she wins over the rebels and leads them to her father’s office, where they take over. Hope takes over her father’s company, and you would think that everyone lived happily ever after, but that isn’t the case with Urinetown. I would tell you the ending, but it’s a suprise.

With the last line of the show being: “Hail Malthus!” (in a very Nazi-like way, I might add), some back story must be added. Thomas Malthus was a demographer and economist, best known for his theories about population growth and the depletion of resources. Malthus theorized that as resources grew scarce, population decreases. This theory works for Urinetown, because as water became more and more scarce, town members began dying.

Urinetown was an excellent choice for The Masque to open up its season with. It’s witty, political and never too over-the-top. While in the first act the plot seemed to go slow, it was only setting up for the second act, where certain truths are revealed.

The musical was well-performed, with each member of the cast bringing something unique to the stage. Freshman psychology major Joseph Kain, a newcomer to The Masque, had great stage presence, truly coming across as the corrupt and creepy politician. His Nixon impersonation in “Why Did I Listen To That Man” only added to the song. Additionally, the vocals of sophomore accounting major Nina Ross during “Tell Her I Love Her” were outstanding, and blew me away.

With great lyrics and fantastic choreography, “Run Freedom Run” is easily the stand-out piece in the whole musical, and allows Clanton to steal the show. Woodward literally provides hope, with her message of following your heart. Always dressed in white, she’s a trusted character because of her pureness. With its subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) political jabs, exciting plot line and questions that make you re-think the way your life is run, Urinetown is a musical for its time.

Urinetown will be performed again Nov. 15-17 at 8 p.m. There will be a raffle night Nov. 15 and an alumni night Nov. 17.

bergink1@lasalle.edu