author: Rick Bergmann
Rockville Musical Theatre’s Urinetown Flushes Out The Truth With Glee
Jonathan Swift once wrote, “Satire is a sort of glass, wherein beholders do generally discover everybody’s face but their own.” That idea perfectly captures what makes Rockville Musical Theatre’s production of Urinetown The Musical—now playing at the newly renovated F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater—so successful.
Originally produced in 2001, Urinetown remains strikingly relevant today. It holds a mirror to the state of politics and power in America, twisting our current realities into absurd, yet all-too-familiar, reflections. The show is set in a dystopian future where a severe water shortage has allowed the corrupt Urine Good Company to monopolize public toilets. To relieve oneself, citizens must pay a fee—and those caught urinating without paying are banished to the dreaded “Urinetown.”
Imagine if Jay Ward, creator of The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, made a live-action political cartoon—and added a musical score. That’s Urinetown. Directed and choreographed by Kristina Friedgen, the production finds the perfect balance of humor, heart, and social commentary. Friedgen never loses sight of the show’s deeper questions beneath all the laughter: Who controls our resources? What happens when necessity becomes a commodity?
The story is narrated by Officer Lockstock and Little Sally, played with sharp wit and charm by Thomas Stratton and Faith Wang. Together, they gleefully break the fourth wall, poking fun at both the plot and the conventions of musical theatre itself. Their performances strike just the right tone—broad enough to feel cartoonish yet grounded enough to keep the satire biting.
As Penelope Pennywise, the jaded warden of the town’s filthiest urinals, Iris DeWitt is sensational. Her powerhouse vocals and comic timing shine in “A Privilege to Pee,” one of the highlights of Act I. The show’s central lovers, Bobby Strong (Charlie Williams) and Hope Cladwell (Alexandra Lagos), bring a wonderful mix of innocence, idealism, and warmth. Williams’ sincerity makes Bobby’s revolutionary zeal believable, while Lagos imbues Hope with humor, sweetness, and a beautiful singing voice.
Every good satire needs a great villain, and Scott Napier’s Caldwell B. Cladwell delivers in spades. Napier revels in the role, crafting a delightfully over-the-top capitalist tyrant who’s as menacing as he is entertaining. The ensemble, too, deserves praise—their energy and commitment bring this grimy world to vivid life.
Friedgen’s choreography is another triumph. Too often in community theatre, dance numbers outstrip the abilities of their casts, but Friedgen smartly tailors the movement to her performers’ strengths. The result is confident, exciting, and cohesive throughout. A standout moment is the clever tap interlude during “Mr. Cladwell,” which bursts with energy and precision.
Visually, the production excels. Set designer Noah Beye transforms the stage into a grimy, graffiti-covered cityscape that shifts seamlessly between locations—from a street corner to the Urine Good Company offices to a high-rise rooftop. Lighting designer Jake Gunter enhances the world with moody, muted tones punctuated by brilliant bursts of color at key emotional beats. His inventive use of handheld flashlights by the police adds striking visual texture. Sound designer Connor Lugo Harris subtly supports the tone of the piece, while Tina and Rose Weich’s costumes give each character a distinctive personality and flair.
Urinetown The Musical is exactly the kind of theatre we need right now: sharp, funny, and thought-provoking. It makes us laugh at the absurdity of our systems while quietly asking what happens when those systems fail. Rockville Musical Theatre’s production brims with life, talent, and purpose—it’s a delight from start to finish.
Running Time: Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes with one intermission
Urinetown The Musical plays through November 16th 2025 with Rockville Musical Theatre at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater— 603 Edmonston Drive in Rockville, MD. Performances are Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:00pm. Tickets are $26 for adults, $23 for students & seniors and can be purchased at the door or in advance online.