'Urinetown The Musical' by GetUp Stage Company - My Review

GetUp Stage Company presents the Tony Award-winning post-modern satire unfortunately-named ‘Urinetown The Musical’ this weekend at Trinity-on-Main in New Britain. They cleverly billed it as featuring “star-crossed lovers like ‘West Side Story,’ dancing poor people like ‘Les Mis,’ and nothing at all resembling ‘Cats.’ It seemed especially fitting that the venue, a beautiful old church, is located across the street from the New Britain police station when Officer Lockstock (played by Michael Gibbons with excellent timing) entered the stage in uniform to narrate the story.

Founded in 2010, this Bristol-based theater company is geared toward young actors and is open to all young adults in CT by audition. For this production, director Lindsey DiPietro has assembled a multi-talented group that gave it their all throughout the two acts, and boy can ‘the Poor’ ensemble dance! From the opening “Urinetown” the musical number to “I See a River,” they expertly handle the rich choreography of Libby Blauvelt.

In such a strong cast, Michael Ricciardone was a fantastic Bobby Strong. This young man from Southington has what I call a Broadway voice and he relished in the role of our hero. One of my favorite parts of his performance was when he directed the tight harmony of the choir of the poor during “Run Freedom Run.”Equally as impressive was the always great Danielle Fusco from Watertown. She toned down her powerhouse voice to play the starry-eyed Hope Cladwell most effectively and then brought it on in full force for one wonderful solo.

CLICK HERE TO READ MY ENTIRE REVIEW ON ONSTAGE WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

This excellent production, one of the best ‘Urinetown The Musical’ I have ever seen, closes on Saturday evening at 8:00pm at Trinity-on-Main.

Photos of the cast members by their families