“Urinetown”: It’s an unlikely premise for a musical, except that this show spoofs Broadway traditions rather than feeds on them. A city’s sudden water shortage makes its precious liquid worth its weight in gold. Bathrooms are a luxury that only the wealthy can afford, as the opening number, “Privileged to Pee,” ruefully conveys. This is the improbable setting for a hilarious tale of kids who fall in love despite the deprivation.
Created by veteran Chicago talents Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann, the three-time Tony Award winner finally opens here Tuesday in a national touring production staged by John Rando.
“Urinetown” marks a homecoming for Chicago favorite Jim Corti, best known as Harry Houdini in the original production of “Ragtime.” Playing the duo roles of Old Man Strong and Hot Blades Harry, Corti is proud to be part of this saga of greed, corruption, love and revolution. “Once people get past the name–and some never do–they’re in for a great ride,” Corti promises. “It’s different from anything I’ve done before–it’s so offbeat, unconventional, pseudo-Brechtian and over the top. My favorite moment is this Hannibal Lecter moment that I share in this jazzy, Fosse-like dance number called `Snuff That Girl.’ This is high satire that really probes our lives and has a good time doing it.”
“URINETOWN” runs through Dec. 21 at Shubert Theatre, 22 W. Monroe St.; $26-$75; 312-902-1400.
“JAMES JOYCE’S `THE DEAD,'” Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave.; $26-$50; 773-753-4472: “The Dead” is the final tale in “The Dubliners,” James Joyce’s 1916 collection of short stories. These slices of life, love and death yielded what Joyce called epiphanies, or galvanizing moments of truth. The work inspired John Huston’s final film, a gorgeously textured farewell to life as much as art. But “The Dead” also works just as well as a musical play, as Court Theatre’s much-praised revival of the 1999 treatment by bookwriter/lyricist Richard Nelson and composer Shaun Davey, proved last year.
Opening Saturday, director Charles Newell re-creates that landmark Midwest premiere with eight of the original cast members returning. The setting is the 30th anniversary of the Morkan clan’s annual Epiphany-night party. It’s given by the “Three Graces,” a trio of music-loving aunts and their soprano niece. Nothing could be more natural than that these talented guests, including an operatic tenor visiting Dublin, should present characteristic selections, whether a jig, novelty number or torch song.
Among many winning performances repeated in this revival, Deanna Dunagan reprises her Jeff Award-winning portrayal of demure Aunt Julia. Though brittle as a teacup, she warbles the sardonic 18th Century ballad “When Lovely Lady Stoops to Folly.”
“The song comes from a very painful and passionate part of her life that the others don’t know exists,” Dunagan explains. “Charlie Newell has encouraged us to hold onto secrets about our characters so that we can go to private places as we perform. The challenge is to find an emotional substitution, where you go back to your own life and find something appropriate in the moment. [And] it helps that we’re returning to parts that are now deeper and richer a year later.” Closes Dec. 28.
“MAJOR BARBARA,” Remy Bumppo Theatre Company at Victory Gardens Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.; $28; 773-871-3000: Opening Sunday, George Bernard Shaw’s controversial drama investigates the business of souls and the soul of business as it argues that “the lack of money is the root of all evil” and depicts the volatile relationship between an altruistic daughter and her munitions-manufacturing father.
Director James Bohnen knows why this play still stirs up audiences: “The play reflects on how people can use power to do good or not. What’s wonderful is how the father forces Barbara to learn the difference between petty power and the kind that makes a permanent difference. Unless you have access to corporate board rooms where the big decisions are being made, you can’t change the future.” Closes Jan. 25.
“ANNIE GET YOUR GUN,” Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, 10 Marriott Drive; $35-$40; 847-634-0200: There’s no business like an Irving Berlin hit. Opening Wednesday in a staging by Marc Robin, this beloved bio musical about the irrepressible sharpshooter who “can’t get a man with a gun” features much-praised Susie McMonagle in the peppy title role.
“I love her simplicity,” McMonagle says of Annie. “She knew that what’s important in life is doing what comes naturally. She’s a funky optimist who shoots from the hip, so to speak.”
The play’s true love story also appeals to McMonagle. “Frank Butler and Annie Oakley were together their whole lives,” she says. Closes Feb. 15.
