Although a jarring title, Urinetown hits its mark with commentary on capitalism, bureaucracy and climate change. Set in a future where
a devastating drought has made water scarce, Urinetown tells the story of atown where citizens must pay to use public restrooms. When
fees become too high for the poor to endure, a young hero named Bobby Strong challenges the wealthy elite who control their sources.
Through song and dance, the story unravels, revealing secrets no one will expect Urinetown uses parody as a vehicle of storytelling, referencing musicals that came before it like Les Misérables, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, The Threepenny Opera and many more.
Sophomore musical theatre major Antonio Torres stars as Bobby Strong, Urinetown’s protagonist.
“The best part of rehearsing this show has been experimenting with the crazy material we’re given. We’ve had tons of laughs over just playing in the sandbox and seeing what we can come up with,” Torres said.
Junior musical theatre major Sarah Pugliese plays Penelope Pennywise, who sings “A Privilege to Pee,” one of the show’s most recognizable songs.
“Urinetown is for everyone. From the silly jokes to the deeper meanings, everyone will be able to find a part of this show that they can relate to, whether it be grounded in comedy or the reality of the world today,” Pugliese said.
Sophomore musical theatre major Gabby Greffen plays Little Sally, the show’s quasi-narrator, often supporting Officer Lockstock, the narrator of Urinetown, played by the writer of this article.
“From Urinetown, we can learn that everything is not always as it seems and that there are always going to be people who push the limits and don’t understand when enough is enough,”
Greffen said. The cast features Torres (Bobby Strong), Anthony Kehs (Officer Lockstock), Cally Williams (Hope Cladwell), Alby Lopuhovsky (Caldwell B. Cladwell), Pugliese (Penelope Pennywise), Greffen (Little Sally), Hope Jacobus (McQueen), Jacob Cintronelle (Officer Barrel), Caleb Flannery (Senator Fipp), Elias Brix (Dr. Billeaux/Tiny Tom), Abby Olander (Cladwell’s Secretary), Elena DiSciullo
(Mrs. Millenium), John Quick (Joseph “Old Man” Strong), Geanna Kirchner (Josephine “Old Ma” Strong), Rocco Pugliese (Hot Blades Harry), Charley Cain (Robby the Stockfish), Gabbi Howe (Billy Boy Bill), Sammie Gashi (Little Becky Two-Shoes), Isa Mendez (Soupy Sue), Carolynn Jewell (Ensemble), Caitlin Barton (Ensemble) and Ella Villani (Ensemble).
Urinetown is directed by Sean Patrick Gibbons and associate directed by senior musical theatre major, Maddie Meier. The show runs at 8 p.m. on Feb. 19, 20, and 21 and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 21 and 22.
Tickets cost $20 for general admission, $15 for non-Wilkes students and seniors and are free for anyone with a Wilkes University ID.
To purchase tickets for Urinetown, visit http://www.wilkes.edu/theatre or visit the box office an hour before showtime at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts located on the corner of West South and South River streets.
