Urinetown, The Musical
Directed by Frederick L. Chacon
Musical Direction by Ann Damassa
Choreography by Lisa Otterstetter
September 7 - October 6, 2007
Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm
Sunday Matinees at 2:00pm
One of the most uproariously funny musicals in recent years, URINETOWN is a hilarious tale of greed, corruption, love, and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year draught, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity’s most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides he’s had enough, and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom! Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, URINETOWN is an irreverently humorous satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny. Praised for reinvigorating the very notion of what a musical could be, URINETOWN catapults the comedic romp into the new millennium with its outrageous perspective, wickedly modern wit, and sustained ability to produce gales of unbridled laughter.
The success of URINETOWN seems as unlikely as the show’s title. One of the few truly original musicals not based on existing source material, the show first premiered at the New York Fringe Festival in 1999. The outrageous futuristic story of a town in which the water supply is controlled by a greedy corporation, and where people have to pay for “the privilege to pee” was an instant hit with fringe audiences, who also applauded the show’s hilarious references to classic musicals such as West Side Story and Sweeney Todd. Word of mouth spread quickly, and the show was picked up for an Off-Broadway run in 2001. The reviews were wildly enthusiastic, and the show was transferred to Broadway’s Henry Miller Theater where the show opened Sept. 20, 2001. In 2002, URINETOWN was nominated for an impressive 10 Tony Awards, winning for Best Book, Score, and direction. It also won the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical.
The Altarena Playhouse production of Urinetown is directed by Altarena Artistic Director Frederick L. Chacon. Musical Direction by Ann Damassa, Choreography by Lisa Otterstetter, Set Design by Angelo Benedetto, Lighting Design by Kayce Landaeta, and Costume Design by Bonnie I. Rippberger.
Cast:
Officer Lockstock — Jamie Olsen
Little Sally — Jennifer Graham
Penelope Pennywise — Donna Turner
Bobby Strong — Ben Pither
Caldwell B. Cladwell — Jeff Seaberg
Hope Cladwell — Rebecca Pingree
Senator Fipp — Gary Haberberger
Officer Barrel — Charles Evans
Dr. Billeaux, Tiny Tom, Cop — Patrick Sanchez
Ms. McQueen, Cop — Martha Paguin
Old Man Strong/ Hot Blades Harry — Jon Stenger
Soupy Sue, UGC Worker, Cop — Patricia Pitpitan
Little Becky Two Shoes, UGC Worker, Cop — El Beh
Josephine Strongm UGC Worker, Cop — Donna Nigro
Mrs. Millennium, Poor Person, Cop — Maggie Tenenbaum
Billy Boy Bill, UGC Worker, Cop — James Gee
