Tony winner is flush with talent

The Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse has kicked off the new community

theater season in rip-roaring style, mounting a terrific production

of the multiple Tony Award-winning musical “Urinetown.”

In fact, the playhouse’s production compares favorably with the

touring professional version, which played at the Orange County

Performing Arts Center last season.

Packing such a sprawling show into the playhouse’s limited

dimensions is a Herculean task, but director Greg Zerkle -- himself a

Broadway veteran -- and his talented and energetic cast have

accomplished this mission splendidly.

“Urinetown” is not your typical evening of musical theater -- even

the show’s characters poke fun at the title. And when

conductor-keyboardist Izumi Kashiwagi is led to her position in

handcuffs at the start of the show, you realize you’re in for

something completely different.

Creators Mark Hollman (music and lyrics) and Greg Kotis (book and

lyrics) sought to revolutionize musical theater with their story of

repression and revolt. The musical’s characters -- chiefly Officer

Lockstock (Ed McBride in the Costa Mesa production) and Little Sally

(Heather Zavala) -- make periodic observations on its departure from

traditional styling.

The show focuses on a futuristic period following a lengthy

drought, in which water is at a premium and relieving oneself comes

at a price, with public “amenities” controlled by a greedy

corporation, Urine Good Company. When the corporate vultures boost

the tab, a miniature “Les Miserables” ensues, complete with a

flag-waving peasant.

At the show’s center is a love story, with a rebellious amenity

assistant (David R. Gordon) falling for the gorgeous but vacuous

daughter of the corporation’s mogul (Heather White). Both bring high

energy and superior singing voices to their assignments.

Officer Lockstock -- teamed with another cop called Officer Barrel

(Cathy Petz) -- is the link between the show and the audience, doling

out exposition to a teddy bear-tugging urchin, Little Sally. The

latter is a standout performance by Zavala, an Estancia High School

graduate following in the footsteps of another, Spencer Kayden, who

created this role on Broadway.

Ryan Holihan has some show-stopping moments, first as Gordon’s

feisty father -- sent to the dreaded Urinetown for relieving himself

without paying the tribute -- then as a bloodthirsty rebel. Elizabeth

Bouton excels as the hardened amenity chief, as does Stephanie Thomas

as Gordon’s mother.

The smarmy corporate dictator, as interpreted by Marc Montminy,

comes off with a Jon Lovitz flair, while John Blaylock gleefully

portrays the slimy senator in his pocket. Other notable performances

come from Stephen Hulsey, Melissa B. Scott, Derek Houck, Jesica

Morrow, A.J. Gutierrez and John Schwendinger.

Musically, the satire overshadows the melody in such numbers as

“Privilege to Pee” and “Follow Your Heart.”

The show’s funniest musical moments come as Montminy advises his

daughter, “Don’t Be the Bunny,” as the cast congregates for a bunny

hop; and the rebels’ “Snuff That Girl,” as bound-and-gagged hostage

White joins in with her limited mobility, and the cast conducts a

“Cool”-type riff reminiscent of “West Side Story.”

“Urinetown” arrives just as the playhouse has eliminated Thursday

evening performances. When word of this one gets around, they just

might have to reinstate them.

IF YOU GO

* WHAT: “Urinetown, the Musical”

* WHERE: Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse, 611 Hamilton St., Costa Mesa

* WHEN: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.,

through Sept. 25

* COST: $18

* CALL: (949) 650-5269

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Fridays.