From the moment the lights go up on Brian Perchaluk's grungy set at the Canwest Performing Arts Centre, Urinetown goes out of its way to defuse any earnestness with self-mockery. A police officer named Lockstock immediately greets the audience and, often joined by the teddy bear-toting waif Little Sally, reminds us it's just a silly musical and we're suckers if we fall victim to its manipulative charms.

Newcomer Lisa Durupt is a pleasant surprise as the ragamuffin philosopher Little Sally, while Kevin Klassen's friendly manner makes his Officer Lockstock a deceptively amiable narrator. Steve Ratzlaff's [Cladwell] could be nastier, but he does a nice job delivering the show's goofy anthem to heartless corporate Darwinism, Don't Be the Bunny. Sharon Bajer's tough-talking Miss Pennywise delivers a spirited It's a Privilege to Pee.