# Was this really a musical **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 25, 2004, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183 "2004-02-25T23:05:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bryanmaguire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d07c76/32.png) [@bryanmaguire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bryanmaguire)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/1 "2004-02-25T23:05:07Z")
I’m playing the broadway channel on accuradio at the mo’ and I noticed a musical called Urinetown? Was there really a musical with that name? Anybody know what its about and why, oh why, they gave it that name. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/2 "2004-02-25T23:11:35Z")
[Urinetown](http://www.ibdb.com/show.asp?ID=10611) ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/3 "2004-02-25T23:19:29Z")
i was playing here a few months ago. Besides that, i know nothing about it. ---
**Author:** ![bryanmaguire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d07c76/32.png) [@bryanmaguire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bryanmaguire)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/4 "2004-02-25T23:29:33Z")
can somebody explain to me how a musical called URINETOWN about “Amenity #9, the poorest, filthiest urinal in town” ran for over 2 years? ---
**Author:** ![av8rmike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@av8rmike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/av8rmike)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/5 "2004-02-25T23:30:32Z")
[Urinetown: The Musical](http://www.urinetown.com) [So What Would You Call it? Toilettown?](http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/01/arts/theater/01URIN.html?ex=1077858000&en=2442396cd939829e&ei=5070) (NY Times, registration required) An excerpt: > [@](#): > > The daring title was not selected at random. The subversive show, a sendup of genre musicals from “The Threepenny Opera” to “West Side Story,” takes place in a mythical city where water is such a scarce commodity that the public urinals, run by a corrupt corporation, charge exorbitant fees. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/6 "2004-02-25T23:31:32Z")
It has sort of a strange plot. It takes place in a town where there’s a water shortage, and all the urinals are owned by this big corporation, and so everyone has to pay to use them (and it’s illegal to urinate anywhere other than a urinal). This custodian, who believes that people have a natural right to pee, leads a revolt against the big company. ---
**Author:** ![Alto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Alto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alto)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/7 "2004-02-25T23:44:17Z")
> [@bryanmaguire](#): > > can somebody explain to me how a musical called URINETOWN about “Amenity #9, the poorest, filthiest urinal in town” ran for over 2 years? And it could have run longer. It closed because the theatre was being remodelled–tickets were still selling. I have a friend who saw it in Off-Broadway previews because she had a friend involved. She went off complaining about what a good friend she was being to go to such a ghastly show, and came back a convert, urging me to see it as soon as possible. I kept refusing to go for a long time because, well, you know. Finally I gave in and went, and it really is genuinely good. The Threepenny Opera is the closest comparison I can think of. The music is excellent, and the play is both engaging and thought-provoking. I’m still not sure what I think about the title. It is extremely appropriate, and by the end of the play the word has a lot of resonance and it’s hard to imagine a better title for it. On the other hand, I bet it’s kept lots of people from seeing it. It sure kept me away for a long time. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/8 "2004-02-25T23:53:43Z")
I even have the Cast Recording right in front of me. It’s coming to Seattle next year, so I’ll finally see it. From what I’ve heard, and the few snippets I’ve seen, I’m looking forward to it. It seems to be a descendant (I wouldn’t say parody or takeoff, Threepenny is just as ridiculous) of Brecht’s style of musical. But even the authors in the opening song _Too Much Exposition_ talk about the title: > [@](#): > > **Lockstock** > You’re too young to understand it now, but nothing can kill a show like too much exposition > **Little Sally** > How about bad subject matter? > **Lockstock** > Well – > **Little Sally** > Or a bad title, even? That could kill a show pretty good ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/9 "2004-02-26T01:50:53Z")
It’s a privilege to pee! ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/10 "2004-02-26T02:19:04Z")
Feh. I’ve listened to the OCR extensively. It’s not Broadway-calibre material, IMNSHO. They got lucky. Any musical with piano chords _PLONK plonk Plonk plonk_ over a tonic/dominant bass does not deserve to make it anywhere past community theatre or a fringe fest. ---
**Author:** ![Nanook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nanook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanook)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/11 "2004-02-26T03:13:27Z")
Was this really a musical?? Do you people live in a cave or what??? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/12 "2004-02-26T13:34:55Z")
It was one of those shows that opened off-Broadway with no publicity and the people who go see everything saying "You HAVE to see this show,"giving it so much buzz that it ends up on Broadway. Those shows are always worth seeing. The latest example is Avenue Q. I had a long conversation with Lawrence Street of the original cast, and the man is a riot. Even he found it hard to believe: I take a job as a chorus boy in this off-Broadway musical with an impossible name and figure I can pay the rent and the show will last maybe two months. Now I’m on Broadway in the hottest ticket in town. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/13 "2004-02-26T14:37:02Z")
It’s one of the least enjoyable and preachiest musicals to come along in ages (imho). The lowlight is when the cast actually shouts “Praise Malthus!” in order to drive home the point to those who haven’t gotten it already. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/14 "2004-02-26T16:11:01Z")
Yep, and it’s a great show, too. Deservedly won several Tonys. ---
**Author:** ![bryanmaguire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d07c76/32.png) [@bryanmaguire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bryanmaguire)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/15 "2004-02-26T21:26:46Z")
> [@Nanook](#): > > Was this really a musical?? > > Do you people live in a cave or what??? Ireland actually, but thanks for asking. Not exactly a vibrant hub of musical theatre. ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/16 "2004-02-28T04:40:41Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > It’s one of the least enjoyable and preachiest musicals to come along in ages (imho). The lowlight is when the cast actually shouts “Praise Malthus!” in order to drive home the point to those who haven’t gotten it already. It relies so heavily on the oh-so-quaint idea that it’s a parody of a parody of a musical that it falls flat on its face. Oh, and can I say again how much the music _sucks?_ ---
**Author:** ![Wrenchslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/94ad74/32.png) [@Wrenchslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenchslinger)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/17 "2004-02-28T07:02:57Z")
> [@bryanmaguire](#): > > Ireland actually, but thanks for asking. Not exactly a vibrant hub of musical theatre. No, but you are a lot closer to the [Edinburgh Fringe](http://www.edfringe.com/)(first of of Springer! the musical) than those of us slaving away on Broadway. And take it from me, NY hasn’t been the hub of vibrant musical theater for a while either. Although Avenue Q is one of the best shows to come along is a long while. Ahhhh Schadenfreude… ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/18 "2004-02-28T19:08:49Z")
> [@Wrenchslinger](#): > > And take it from me, NY hasn’t been the hub of vibrant musical theater for a while either. I’m thinking of writing a personal essay in my LJ or something about Broadway’s latest phase: musicalizations of movies, with some supposedly innovative & wacky crap thrown in. It’s sickening. Did you know that Disney has its next musicals totally ready to go - they’re just waiting for the theatres to open up? Look for “The Little Mermaid” to take over B’way within the next couple of years. It’s a sick, assembly-line operation that is somehow acceptable because at least the musicals aren’t all West End transfers like they were in the 80s. And we all know how the Mackintosh/Lloyd Webber mega-musicals were resented. The backlash began circa 1989 with shows like “City of Angels”, “Grand Hotel”, and “The Will Rogers Follies” - very American shows with very American subjects. Sondheim (and I’m not his biggest fan, but I agree with him here) had something fantastic to say about all of this: > [@](#): > > You have two kinds of shows on Broadway – revivals and the same kind of musicals over and over again, all spectacles. You get your tickets for The Lion King a year in advance, and essentially a family comes as if to a picnic, and they pass on to their children the idea that that’s what the theater is – a spectacular musical you see once a year, a stage version of a movie. It has nothing to do with theater at all. It has to do with seeing what is familiar. We live in a recycled culture . . . I don’t think the theatre will die per se, but it’s never going to be what it was. You can’t bring it back. It’s gone. It’s a tourist attraction. _(As quoted by Frank Rich in Conversations With Sondheim (New York Times Magazine, March 12, 2000), pp. 40 & 88.)_ I disagree with the last bit. But to all those who thought “RENT” (IMO, highly overrated) was to herald a new era of “innovative American musicals” (RENT was hardly innovative), well, did it happen? I know, this is a hijack, but I have a vested interest in this. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/19 "2004-02-28T22:05:59Z")
Stevin Suskin (the longtime theater writer) has pointed this out as the problem that the American musical has had in recent years: Virtually every composer of Broadway musicals that’s still active and of any note (or, at any rate, of any cloat) is in his seventies. As a result, the Broadway musical has gone downhill, getting to be more and more reliant on imports and movie musicalizations. ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183/20 "2004-02-28T22:26:03Z")
> [@Governor Quinn](#): > > Stevin Suskin (the longtime theater writer) has pointed this out as the problem that the American musical has had in recent years: > > Virtually every composer of Broadway musicals that’s still active and of any note (or, at any rate, of any cloat) is in his seventies. > > As a result, the Broadway musical has gone downhill, getting to be more and more reliant on imports and movie musicalizations. This is why more risks need to be taken on the younger generation. (Like me & **CuriousCanuck**.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-really-a-musical/231183.md?page=2)