Critics are raving!!

Walmartopia, the Musical Sells Out, Smashing Mercury Players Box Office Records

MADISON, WIS. -Walmartopia, the rollicking musical comedy that takes aim at the world's largest retailer, has broken box office records for Mercury Players Theatre. According to Mercury Players producer Marcia Weiland, the demand for Walmartopia tickets has been "unbelievable."

At the Bartell Theater, a community theater housing two theater spaces, theatergoers have joined Wal-Mart shoppers, union supporters, students, environmentalists, families, and music lovers in packed houses for the original musical comedy, which opened on December 9. Walmartopia has been playing in the Drury, a 200-seat theater space, and has seen a steady increase in demand for tickets.

"In all my years of doing theater, I haven't experienced audience response on this scale," says Weiland, a 20-year theater veteran. "Since Christmas, we've seen virtually every show sell out. People are obviously telling their friends that Walmartopia is a 'must-see.' We've had a waiting list every night."

The production has added one additional matinee on Sunday, January 15, which Weiland says is a "drop in the bucket" compared to the demand.
Walmartopia follows the travails of Vicki, a loyal Wal-Mart worker who is frustrated by attempts to improve working conditions at Wal-Mart. She speaks out against the company's employment practices and finds herself jettisoned into a future where the giant corporation dominates the world.
In addition to resonating with audiences, Walmartopia has also enjoyed critical success during its Madison run. Gayle Worland of the Wisconsin State Journal called the show "campy, caustic, and comically irresistible" and State Journal reviewer Rob Ferrett says "The one-of-a-kind production from Mercury Players combines a serious political message, zany comedy and engaging songs in an entertaining and thought-provoking production."
Local playwrights Catherine Capellaro and Andrew Rohn, a husband-and-wife team, say they are thrilled with Walmartopia's success and plan to bring the show to wider audiences. "When people ask why we chose to do a show about Wal-Mart, I say I'm just surprised there's not more art that deals with issues like corporate power and workers' rights," says Capellaro. "Wal-Mart keeps providing us with material by appearing in the headlines every several days. We've hit upon a great combination of education and entertainment, and we hope national audiences will soon be humming the songs of Walmartopia."

Capellaro and Rohn's critically acclaimed musical "Temp Slave," enjoyed five different Madison productions, a tour to San Francisco and Berkeley, and an Off-Broadway reading.

Capellaro says they will enter Walmartopia into the New York International Fringe Festival and the New York Musical Theater Festival, both of which take place later this year. They are also sorting through multiple requests from community groups in Wisconsin that are fighting Wal-Mart and would like Walmartopia to come to their towns.

For more information: Catherine Capellaro 608-241-8791 or Marcia Weiland 608-242-0130. .