Welcome to Urinetown, a show that is as hilarious as it is thought-provoking. From its title alone, you may sense that this is not your typical musical, and you'd be right! Urinetown takes a bold, satirical dive into societal issues, using humor to explore some pretty heavy themes like corporate greed, environmental degradation, and the dynamics of power and revolution.
Written by Greg Kotis, with music by Mark Hollmann, Urinetown premiered in 2001 and quickly became a Broadway hit. What makes Urinetown stand out is its daring mix of absurdity and heart. It breaks away from traditional musical theatre with its self-awareness, poking fun at the genre itself while delivering poignant commentary on the world around us.
At its core, Urinetown is a story about resource scarcity. In this dystopian world, water has become so scarce that private companies control public restrooms, and citizens must pay to take care of their private 'business'. It's a clever allegory for the consequences of environmental mismanagement and unchecked capitalism, but it's also an exploration of human resilience and rebellion in the face of oppression.
While the premise may sound grim, the show tackles these themes with a vibrant sense of humor, catchy songs, and over-the-top characters. Its satirical style calls to mind the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, as it not only entertains but also prompts us to think critically about the world we live in.
My goal with this show has been to ask our students to embrace the absurdity while ensuring that the underlying message remains clear. We laugh not at the characters, but with them and at their circumstances, but the truths hidden within the jokes compel us to reflect on the consequences of our actions in the real world.
The beauty of Urinetown is that it doesn't provide easy answers. It leaves you, the audience, questioning, perhaps uncomfortable even. Are the revolutionaries truly heroes? Is there such a thing as a fair system in the world it portrays—or even in our own?
This process has had its challenges, as it should. A nearly total ensemble show, where all of the actors are on stage almost all the time has been eye opening for our students. It highlights the adage, "There are no small parts, only small actors." Every character and their corosponding actor are critical to our mutual success. This cast has stepped up and with passion and an energy that only youth can provide, and have made what you are about to see not only a memorable performance, but also a truly magical experience for me as a director. Our time working on this show will not soon be forgotten.
Now, I encourage you to enjoy the humor, relish the music, and think about the questions the show raises. Urinetown is an exhilarating experience, both for its wit and its wisdom. Thank you for joining us for this performance, and we hope it stays with you long after the final bow.
Enjoy the show, and Hail, Malthus!!
Pat Schroeder
Director, Urinetown: The Musical
