Big-box Culture Skewered In Song

If you see just one satirical anti-corporate science fiction musical comedy this year ... it must be "Walmartopia." 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.

The brainchild of "Temp Slave, The Musical" co-creators Catherine Capellaro and Andrew Rohn, "Walmartopia" takes satirical aim at the mega-chain store in particular, and the modern service economy in general. Opening with a slice-of-life look at a hapless Wal-Mart employee, the play journeys from the stock room to the boardroom, and finally to a dystopian future with a Wal-Mart on every block -- even State Street.

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.

Whether or not the prospect of a big-box store surrounding the Overture Center frightens you, there's a lot to like about "Walmartopia" -- first and foremost, the music. Politically themed music too often emphasizes the politics at the expense of the music, but Rohn uses diverse musical styles, surprising chord progressions and catchy melodies to keep things lively.

Happily, the cast is up to the challenging musical score, both in individual performances and in the large-scale chorus numbers. In particular, Anna Jayne Marquardt in the lead role makes me hope for a resurgence of musicals in Madison, so that she'll have more opportunity to share her effective and versatile voice.

On the comedic side, the script offers a handful of scenery-chewing roles, especially in the upper echelons of the Wal-Mart corporation. Frank Furillo as the slimy CEO, Christopher Babiarz as a Strangelovian mad scientist and Douglas Holtz as Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton are tons of fun. John Gustafson, Kristy Wilson, and Sarah Whelan ham it up as members of a bad-but-entertaining theater company owned by the Wal-Mart of the future.

"Walmartopia" is a unique treat, for the music, the message and the madcap comedy. Could it get an extended run, like "Temp Slave"? It could happen -- but it's worth seeing now, just in case.

Reach Rob Ferrett at daybreak@madison.com.

"Walmartopia" runs at the Bartell Theatre, 112 E. Mifflin St., at 8 tonight and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28-29; 8 p.m. Dec. 30-31, through Jan. 14. Call 661-9696, ext. 5, for ticket information.