Urinetown

CL Critic Okla Jones, III Recommends: Co-produced by Actor’s Express and Oglethorpe University Theatre and staged at Oglethorpe University, Urinetown tells the story of the not-so-distant future, when a 20-year drought has depleted the land of water. All citizens are forced to pay the corrupt “Urine Good Company” megacorporation for the “privilege to pee.” When the idealistic Bobby Strong decides he has had enough, he leads a ragtag group of rebels in a revolution to pee freely. — OJ

CL Critic Kevin C. Madigan Recommends: The extolled satirical musical is being presented this month at Oglethorpe University as an opener for the 35th season of Actor’s Express. The dystopian tale involves a corrupt megacorporation known as Urine Good Company that aims to monetize the bodily fluids of the local citizenry due to a 20-year drought. The hordes rebel, of course. Themes of capitalism, social irresponsibility, bureaucracy, corporate greed and municipal politics are delved into with abandon. “The fact that the biting satire is washed down with hummable songs and hilarious comedy just makes it work on every level,” director Freddie Ashley says. The cast and creative team includes Actor’s Express veterans such as Jeff McKerley (Fun Home, Head Over Heels), Kevin Harry (Sweeney Todd, Head Over Heels and Murder Ballad), choreographer Precious West (Heathers) and Musical Director Ashley Prince (Lizzie). “I think its themes are more relevant than ever, and it has only gotten funnier as time has gone by.” Variety labeled Urinetown “rousing and infectious” while Time Out observed, “Urinetown packs tremendous fun.” — KCM