WFIU's George Walker talked with the director of Theatre at Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods about the upcoming production of Urinetown, the Musical.
"We chose Urinetown… for a number of reasons, some ecological and some theatrical. For one thing, we're very concerned about conservation here at the college. In fact our opening performance follows a day of workshops and activities around the theme of conservation."
"The show itself is a dystopia about a future world where a single company controls all the water and everyone has to pay to use the toilet. It's a bit of a grim picture, but very much a comedy complete with a spotless hero leading the rebels and a virtuous heroine who happens to be part of the leader of the company's family."
"I particularly enjoy working with our cast on this one because the authors have incorporated parodies of a number of Broadways styles. Along the way, afficianados will recognize mini-tributes to West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, and Les Misearables . Urinetown… gives our singers, actors and dancers a chance to really stretch out in a show that I think the audience will really enjoy."
Urinetown, the Musical by Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis
Directed by Sharon Ammen
Saint Mary of the Woods College
February 18-21, 2010