URINETOWN: The Musical

Author(s): Jamie Madden
Location: Melbourne, Australia

“URINETOWN: The Musical"

Produced by Richard D. Zanuck and Scott Rudin
Screenplay by Tim Burton, John Logan and John August, adapted from Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis’ musical
Music by Danny Elfman
Cinematography by Philippe Rousselot
Set Decoration by Cheryl Carasik
Art Direction by Dante Ferretti
Production Design by Bo Welch
Costumes by Colleen Atwood

Principal Cast:

Adam Brody as Bobby Strong
Scarlett Johansson as Hope Cladwell
Michael Douglas as Caldwell B. Cladwell
Allison Janney as Penelope Pennywise
Michael Caine as Senator Fipp
Aaron Eckhart as Officer Lockstock
Kristin Chenoweth as Little Sally
David Strathairn as Joseph "Old Man" Strong
Meryl Streep as Josephine "Old Ma" Strong

Tagline: "Evil corporations, young lovers, pay toilets ... only in Urinetown!"

Synopsis: In the middle of a 20-year drought, water has become so sparse that the use of private toilets has become unthinkable. Now all restroom activities have to be done in public toilets, owned by “Urine Good Company” (UGC), a private dominating corporation, headed by the corrupt and greedy Caldwell B. Cladwell (Michael Douglas) which charges people to use their toilets as a way of controlling the water consumption. Severe laws guarantee that if the people do not pay the toll, they are banished to Urinetown, a penal colony that punishes the poor and destitute citizens who can’t afford to use the public amenities. However, a hero (Bobby Strong played by Adam Brody) emerges from the pathetic souls of Urinetown to lead against the tyrannical, totalitarian regime of the UGC.

Urinetown also features a host of other crazy characters including, ruthless and gutsy Penelope Pennywise (Allison Janney); owner of Public Amenity Number 9, the poorest urinal in town, always searching to find a quick buck, Senator Fipp (Michael Caine); a corrupt politician who hides all his crimes through politics, Hope Cladwell (Scarlett Johansson); Cladwell’s ditzy, naïve, goodhearted daughter who falls in love with Bobby, Bobby’s rebellious parents Joseph and Josephine (David Strathairn and Meryl Streep) and Officer Lockstock (Aaron Eckhart)and Little Sally (Kristin Chenoweth); who serve as narrators as well as a policeman and a poor little girl. Featuring showstoppers “It’s a Privilege to Pee”, “Snuff the Girl”, “What is Urinetown?” and “I See A River.”

What the press would say:

URINETOWN, winner of 3 Tony Awards now comes to the silver screen, in Tim Burton’s critically acclaimed adaptation. Without being too serious, and yet not too thoughtless, Urinetown is a perfect satirical parody on today’s society, featuring universal themes of small-town totalitarian dictatorship, greed, revolution, forbidden love, climate change and corrupt bureaucracy. And it does it in the form of a musical. The ambitious Tim Burton project is both earnest and delightful, and boisterously funny. It is visually stunning with collaborations with Burton regulars including musician Danny Elfman, costumer Colleen Atwood, and production designer Bo Welch. However, it is the enormous ensemble cast that brings to life Burton, John Logan and John August’s endearing script to life. Effortlessly the 9 main stars portray loveable and hateful characters that are captivating. Scarlett Johansson is transforming as Hope, the naïve, ditzy daughter of greedy, corrupt Caldwell B. Cladwell (the incomparable Michael Douglas), Adam Brody takes a leading man stance successfully as Bobby, the hero and assistant custodian to ruthless and gutsy, Penelope Pennywise (Allison Janney) at the poorest urinal in town. David Strathairn and Meryl Streep share a wonderful onscreen chemistry as the poor, defiant, rebellious and strong willed parents of Bobby. And finally, Michael Caine reminds us of his amazing comedic timing as the corrupt politican. With 11 small appearances from an incredible supporting cast that includes Johnny Depp, Glenn Close, Rosanna Arquette, Patrick Wilson, Anthony Hopkins, Steve Martin, Renee Zellweger, Seth Green, Cate Blanchett, Brad Garrett and Heath Ledger.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION (Musical/Comedy categories for Golden Globes)

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Actor (Adam Brody)
Best Actress (Scarlett Johansson)
Best Supporting Actor (Michael Douglas, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, David Strathairn)
Best Supporting Actress (Kristin Chenoweth, Allison Janney, Meryl Streep)
Best Art Direction
Best Cinematography
Best Costume Design
Best Editing
Best Original Score