Urinetown: The Musical
Book and Lyrics by Mark Hollmann Music by Greg Kotis
Setting: A dystopian future where people are forced to pay to use the restroom.
Plot:
The story takes place in a world where, due to a mysterious epidemic of urinary tract infections, people are no longer allowed to use the restroom for free. The tyrannical "Urine Town Council" has decreed that citizens must pay 50 cents to use a public restroom. Those who cannot afford to pay are forced to roam the streets, desperate and uncomfortable.
The protagonist, LEON, a poor and ambitious young man, dreams of becoming the CEO of Urine Town's privatized restroom industry. He enlists the help of CAT, a rebellious and fiery young woman who becomes his partner in crime.
As Leon and Cat work to overthrow the corrupt and greedy MR. O'HARA, the CEO of Urine Town's largest restroom conglomerate, they must navigate the complexities of their own feelings for each other.
Meanwhile, MALA, a timid and anxious office worker, struggles to survive in a world where she cannot afford to use the restroom. Her story serves as a counterpoint to Leon and Cat's, highlighting the difficulties faced by those living on the margins.
Act 1:
The musical opens with an upbeat number, "Urine Town," which sets the tone for the show. Leon, Cat, and the ensemble introduce the audience to the world of Urine Town, where people are forced to carry their urine around with them.
The scene shifts to Leon's apartment, where he confides in his best friend, BOBBY. Leon shares his dreams of becoming the CEO of Urine Town, and Bobby encourages him to take a chance. urinetown the musical script
The next scene takes place in a public restroom, where Mala is struggling to hold it in. She eventually breaks down and pays to use the restroom, only to be confronted by Mr. O'Hara, who accuses her of being a "freebasher."
Act 2:
As Leon and Cat begin to build their business, they attract the attention of Mr. O'Hara, who sees them as a threat to his power. Leon and Cat engage in a series of escalating pranks and confrontations with Mr. O'Hara, culminating in a dramatic showdown.
Meanwhile, Mala's story reaches a tragic conclusion as she becomes desperate and disillusioned with the system. Her song, "No Business," highlights the struggles of those living on the margins.
The final confrontation takes place at a public rally, where Leon and Cat rally the people of Urine Town to demand change. Mr. O'Hara attempts to shut down the rally, but ultimately fails.
Musical Numbers:
Themes:
Tone:
Style:
Notes on Production:
Script Excerpts:
Here is a sample script excerpt from Act 1:
LEON: I'm telling you, Cat, I'm gonna make it big in Urine Town. CAT: What makes you think that?
LEON: I've got a plan. We're gonna build a business that's gonna revolutionize the way people go to the bathroom.
CAT: (skeptical) Uh-huh. And how exactly do you plan on doing that?
LEON: (excited) We're gonna build a pay-to-use restroom that's so nice, people will be willing to pay top dollar to use it!
CAT: (laughing) You can't be serious.
LEON: (deadpan) I'm completely serious.
This exchange showcases the witty banter and comedic timing that are hallmarks of the musical.
Because Urinetown won three Tony Awards (2002) and is licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI), you cannot legally find the full script free online. Posting a PDF of “Urinetown the musical script” without licensing is copyright infringement. Urinetown: The Musical Book and Lyrics by Mark
To legally acquire the script:
Mark Hollmann’s lyrics are intricately woven into the book. The opening number, "Too Much Exposition," is a brilliant comedic song that literally explains the world-building while mocking how clunky exposition usually is in theatre.
But the lyrics are also used for biting satire. "Follow Your Heart," sung by the idealistic lovers, is a gorgeous, sweeping ballad that perfectly mimics Disney-style earnestness—making it hilarious when the evil Cladwell later uses the exact same melody to sing "Don't Be the Bunny," a metaphor about how the poor exist only to be consumed by the rich. The way the lyrics subvert classic Broadway archetypes is genuinely brilliant.
Perhaps the script’s most ingenious device is its self-awareness. The story is narrated by Officer Lockstock, a cynical cop, and Little Sally, a precocious urchin who functions as the audience’s surrogate. Sally constantly questions the plot’s logic:
This meta-theatrical dialogue is not just a joke; it is a mission statement. Kotis and Hollmann are writing a musical about musicals. They deconstruct the "Urinetown" genre—the heroic uprising. The hero, Bobby Strong, falls in love with the villain’s daughter, Hope. He leads a revolution. He sings a rousing "I Believe" anthem. And then the script subverts every expectation.
When searching for the "Urinetown the Musical script," you are likely looking for more than just a PDF of dialogue. You are seeking an archaeological artifact of modern musical theatre—a show that deliberately uses a repulsive title to deliver one of the smartest, funniest, and most politically urgent librettos ever written.
For drama teachers, community theatre directors, and musical theatre nerds, the script of Urinetown (Book and Lyrics by Greg Kotis, Music by Mark Hollmann) is a masterclass in Brechtian alienation, economic satire, and theatrical self-awareness. But before you download that perusal PDF, let’s explore why this script remains banned from some high schools, beloved by critics, and essential for understanding 21st-century musical comedy.
Spoiler Warning for the ending: Where many musicals cop out and tie everything up with a neat, happy bow, Urinetown commits fully to its cynical worldview. The rebellion wins, but because they don't understand macroeconomics or water conservation, the water supply dries up completely, and everyone dies. The script handles this apocalypse with a surreal, upbeat musical number ("I See a River") that is chillingly funny. It is one of the bravest endings in modern musical theatre, completely recontextualizing everything the audience just watched.
Reading the Urinetown script reveals a joke density that rivals The Simpsons in its prime. Every line serves two masters: character and commentary.
Standard musical scripts resolve in a finale reprise. The Urinetown script resolves with Hope Cladwell being shot by the mob she tried to save, followed by a drought-induced collapse of society. The final line of the script belongs to Little Sally: "Well, that was depressing." "Urine Town" - Upbeat opening number introducing the
The script draws heavy inspiration from the theories of Bertolt Brecht, specifically the concept of Verfremdungseffekt (distancing effect). By refusing to let the audience get too emotionally immersed, the script forces them to think critically about the themes rather than just being swept away by the story.
The tone is a delicate balancing act: it is cynical and dark, yet undeniably silly. The script manages to make a joke out of police brutality and corporate greed without diminishing the stakes for the characters.