URINETOWN

 

I’m falling way behind here. Too much going on and far too many pictures to edit. My path through The Fringe is now up to the provocatively-named Urinetown, which ran on Broadway for a number of years. It is a complex story but, in essence: it is set in a future time when there has been a profound drought. There is far from enough water for sanitary systems, leading to the “stinky times.” A crass capitalist manages government-sanctioned toilets which require a steep fee, much to everyone’s, um, discomfort. The workers and people revolt, depose the magnate and restore bladder equity. However, at the end, a return to the stinky times threatens. There is a detailed summary at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urinetown .

The most remarkable thing is that it is performed by immensely talented high school students through Ignite Theatre Company, https://ignitewithus.org/ . We have seen their work at The Fringe before and it is extraordinary.

I may be offline for a while later this week. Spine surgery on Wednesday, which is not as big a deal as it sounds. New, minimally-invasive laparoscopic procedure, small incision, clean out a couple of nerve roots, two hours’ work, home the same day. Still, I may be spacey for a bit.