Showtimes for Urinetown—The Musical is 7:30 p.m. all three nights, Thursday through Saturday, March 15, 16 and 17. The show is in the Geneva High School auditorium, 416 McKinley Ave.
Here's the press-release info, courtesy of School District 304.
GHS Spring Musical: “Urinetown”
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A 20-year drought has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. Citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company, Urine Good Company (UGC), that profits by charging admission for one of life’s most basic needs. A fee hike prompts a rebel worker to plan a revolution against the UGC and lead the people to freedom.
That’s the premise of Urinetown—The Musical, the Tony-Award-winning musical that will be staged by Geneva High School.
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The musical, which opened on Broadway in September 2001, pokes fun at the legal system, capitalism, corporate power and political mismanagement, and prompts the audience to think of how a single evil company profits off of one of humanity's basic amenities.
Music and lyrics are by Mark Hollman with the book and lyrics by Greg Kotis. The idea for the show was born when Kotis, then a student traveling in Europe on a budget, encountered pay toilets at the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. That experience gave rise to a play featuring a Gotham-like city where all the toilets are controlled by a single greedy corporation.
"Why stage Urinetown—The Musical? In the coming months, as we are subjected to further political posturing in preparation for the upcoming presidential election, what better way is there to address capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement and municipal politics than through a musical which satirizes all of those issues,” said Director Roxanne Curtis.
Her actors have been stretched mentally and physically “as they have embraced edgy characterizations, challenging musical arrangements and choreography that parodies everything from Les Miserables to West Side Story.
The cast includes Noelle Humbert as Penelope Pennywise, who runs Public Amenity Number 9 with the help of her assistant (and the rebel hero of the show), Bobby Strong, portrayed by Connor Colbert. Josh Harper is Urine Good Company owner Caldwell B. Cladwell and Clare Stribling is his daughter, Hope Cladwell. Megan Grant is Little Sally and Becca Grischow portrays Little Becky Two Shoes. Rian Kormos is Officer Lockstock and Nick Bianchina is Officer Barrel. Other cast members include Robbie Brouillette as Dr. Billeaux; Jeff Hersheway, Mr. McQueen; Joey McCallas Sen. Fipp; Trapper Sershon, Old Man Strong; Alex Howe, Tiny Tom.
Also: Mary Kate Stanfa as Soupy Sue; Zane Shaw as Bobby the Stockfish; Meredith Dillon, Josephine Strong; Elise Watson, Mrs. Millennium; Brandon Damore as Hot Blades Harry; Tommy Hintz as Billy Boy Bill; Angelo Gelfuso and Jordan Graber as the male cops; and Kelsey Jaffer,Sabrina Jaffer, Bianca Shaw and Kristin Tucholski as the female cops.
Members of the ensemble are Molly Carberry, Calen Colbert, Angelo Gelfuso, Jordan Graber, Angelie Humbert, Kelsey Jaffer, Sabrina Jaffer, Anika Nims, Bianca Shaw and Kristin Tucholski.
Tickets are $7 for students and seniors and $10 for adults. They may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling Geneva High School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Due to the nature of some of the humor contained in this production, it may not be appropriate for younger audiences. Parental discretion is recommended.
All seating is reserved! To order tickets, please e-mail Debbie Hanson at dhanson@geneva304.org or call 630-463-3838. E-mail is preferred. You will receive confirmation of your order. Tickets will also be sold to students in the GHS cafeteria during all lunch periods the week of March 12.
The show is directed by Roxanne Curtis with choreography by Tracy Adams, a pit orchestra conducted by Pat Frederick and a production crew led by Jon Jocson.
If available, a limited number of tickets will be sold at the door. The box office will open at 6:30 p.m. the evening of each show but advance sales are strongly recommended.
