by Cari Lynn Pace *

Ray of Light Theatre’s Urinetown: The Musical opened on July 31 in San Francisco and has been filling The Barbary Stage with wildly enthusiastic audiences ever since. This show, with music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann and book and lyrics by Greg Kotis, has everything going for it: dazzling staging, magnificent voices, hilarious characters, and superb direction and precision choreogrpahy by Isaiah Tyrelle Boyd.

As the lights dimmed, the five-piece band hit the right notes for this clever glimpse of a dystopian future where one must pay dearly to pee and water is tightly controlled by a few wealthy masters. It may not have a happy ending, but the tongue-in-cheek narration by Officer Lockstock gave fair warning this was to be expected.

Speaking of Officer Lockstock, the ol’ theatre maxim “The show must go on” came into play at the performance I attended. An announcement was made before the show began that the role of Officer Lockstock would be played by understudy Danny Cozart, There was barely a ripple from the audience.

The entire production is a treasure. The plot has parallels to the games played in politics today; it could serve as a warning. The chorus is spot on with harmony and lyrics, although they were occasionally overwhelmed by the onstage band. Over 20 actors seamlessly jump and boogie and land on their feet. Pay attention so you don’t miss the quick and witty references to other big Broadway musicals; they add to the poked-in-fun of Urinetown: The Musical.

Some two hours later, as the curtain calls and standing ovation were quieted by Gabrielle Goodman (playing Hope Cladwell) she invited the audience to acknowledge understudy Cozart’s fantastic performance in the demanding role. The audience acknowledged his superb performance. He’s just one of so many extraordinary talents in this show.

If you can snag tickets, get to Urinetown: The Musical before it closes on August 29th. Look for the toilet outside the theater.

Bottom line, Urinetown: The Musical is pure entertainment of the highest caliber.

Playing through August 29, 2026 at The Barbary Stage, 215 Jackson Street, San Francisco.

Click HERE for more information and tickets.

Photos by Tiffany Davis

Cari Lynn Pace is a long-time Bay Area theatre critic whose reviews were regularly featured in the Marinscope Community Newspapers and a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle.