Have you ever considered how life would feel if you were cut off from basic necessities like toilets? Well, that horrific idea is brought to life in the hilarious production of “Urinetown”.
“Urinetown” opens Friday, Dec. 6 in Kasdorf Auditorium at Loy Norrix High School. This satirical comedy musical, written by Greg Kotis and composed by Mark Hollman, takes place in a fictional future, where the world is facing a water shortage. In response, private toilets are outlawed, forcing citizens to pay to use public amenities.
“This is a very unique and hilarious show,” said junior Reed Davis, who plays Officer Lockstock. “It takes real-world problems, like capitalism and political corruption, and makes fun of them.”
Although “Urinetown” satirizes complicated political issues, its cast and crew have put in the work to ensure they present a hilarious show that’s enjoyable to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
“The overarching broad theme is government corruption, but it’s very balanced. It laces the topic into the whole theme of the show,” said senior Dominic Lufuente who plays Senator Fipp. “What a younger audience might get from it is that they’re fighting because they can’t pee, so they’re mad about it, while the older audience might see that it’s about government control. Scene to scene, it focuses on the more silly aspects of the show, and the variety of music is really great, it will keep you on your toes at all times, which really helps cushion the message.”
The cast and crew have put in countless hours since early October to pull together an unforgettable production. “Urinetown” is a very student-run show with over 40 cast members. Other students involved who aren’t seen on stage include costume and makeup artists as well as lighting, tech, sound and set designers. Two students also work behind the scenes as stage managers.
“The best part about being in “Urinetown” is being around the type of community that we have at Loy Norrix,” said junior Alyssandra Radford who plays Penelope Pennywise. “It’s a very diverse group. You’re totally going to find your people, and my people are definitely in this cast.”
For many cast and crew members, being a part of “Urinetown” has been a chance to express themselves theatrically and be part of a tightly-knit community. For them, it’s not just about putting on a show, it’s also about being part of a hard working and loving team.
“Both the cast and crew have great chemistry and friendship on and off the stage,” said sophomore Mia Stroven who plays Mrs. Millennium. “We have a lot of really good connections which helps us engage with the audience.”
You have the chance to see “Urinetown” on Dec. 6, 7, 12, 13, or 14 at 7 p.m. or Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased either at the box office the day of performance or through this link.
“Don’t be discouraged by the name. You get to see people be funny, loving and overly dramatic about nothing and everything at the same time,” said Radford. “Go see it!”
