Theatrical productions are few and far between in Abu Dhabi. So, in straying away from the usual remit of Shakespearean recitals and Chekhov tributes and producing Urinetown – a musical set in a public bathroom – we reckon it’s fair to say that the Abu Dhabi Choral Group are making an extremely bold move.
But look beyond the shock-and-awe title, and Urinetown is more than just theatrically credible – it’s a force to be reckoned with. Set in a dystopian near-future, it tells the story of shady corporation ‘Urine Good Company’, which, after a 20-year drought, has monopolised the world’s water supply, outlawed private bathrooms and enforced pay-per-use public facilities. The show was first performed at the New York international Fringe Festival in 2001, picking up three Tony Awards and a further six nominations, before embarking on a US tour two years later.
Co-directors Jeanna Caputo and Shera-Lea Saunders are confident of a similarly strong reception when the Abu Dhabi Choral Group perform their version at Al Muna School this month. ‘It may not be the sort of thing the city is used to,’ admits Shera, ‘but my hope is it’ll attract people who are drawn to something a bit different, new and exciting.’
Given that, this time last year, the group were putting the finishing touches to their reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, it’s hard to imagine anything much more different, new and exciting. But why the tangent?
‘Ever since I saw it, I thought it’d be a great show for this group in particular,’ says Jeanna. ‘We have a really strong chorus, and this is a fun musical for them because they play a much bigger role than in other musicals. They’re on stage a lot, and it’s a fun opportunity for them to act and sing. And then there’s the fact that the whole show is hilarious.’
Much of this hilarity comes in the form of parody, with the show ruthlessly lampooning just about every pompous, camp, over-blown Broadway number you’d care to mention. The second song, for example, ‘It’s a Privilege to Pee’, is a direct, playful pastiche of Mama Morton’s ‘When You’re Good to Mama’ from Chicago. And even with musical theatre relatively scarce in the capital, the group are confident the show’s satirical side will strike the desired chord with audiences.
‘People will at least say, “Hang on, I know that song from somewhere,”’ says Shera. ‘It’s incredible how you can just hear a riff on a musical genre and think: Oh my gosh, that’s from this show.’
‘The end of the first act is a spoof of Les Misérables,’ adds Jeanna. ‘They’re getting ready to go off and fight for their freedoms, and some of the choreography is pulled right out of Les Mis. You can’t change it; it’s got to be the same.’
And the meta-theatrical stick-poking doesn’t end there. ‘There are a lot of melodramatic, almost slapsticky moments that really make me giggle,’ says Shera. ‘At one point, something exciting happens in the story and the chorus say “GASP!”
Not actually gasping, but saying the word. Things like that are sort of ridiculous, but you appreciate them if you know musicals.’
Still, even if the thespy in-jokes do sail clean over the punters’ heads, there’s at least one subtext that the city’s audiences can’t possibly ignore. In between all the Broadway references and colourful songs, the show has also drawn praise for its eco credentials, and for providing a stark, if light-hearted reminder of the potential consequences of over-consumption. ‘The environmental message is incredible,’ agrees Shera. ‘It’s something that makes the show particularly relevant to somewhere like Abu Dhabi.’ And that, as we’re sure even our English teacher would have to agree, is something you don’t get from Shakespeare.
Tickets for Urinetown, priced Dhs50, are available by emailing abudhabichoralgroup@gmail.com, from Spinney’s in Khalidiyah and at the door. Performances take place at Al Muna school, between Hamdan Street and Electra Street, behind Liwa Centre on May 26 at 8pm, May 27 at 3pm & 7pm, and May 28 at 3pm.
