“Urinetown”

“What kind of musical is this?”

It’s a satirical comedy.

About greed.

Corruption.

Love.

Anger.

Revolution.

Change.

Urinetown.” There is simply no getting around the fact that the name of this Tony-award winning musical production is well . . . just plain unappealing. But don’t let the title fool you and keep you from seeing this dynamic show that will be presented at Newark High School March 7-9 because it is packed with great songs, dance, laughter and talent. “I was terribly put off by the title for more than five years and I didn’t want to see the show,’’ recalled Director Steve Duprey, who is now in his thirteenth year of directing award-winning musicals and plays at NHS. “But after I read the script, I realized the title is meant to foster a discussion, to be provocative and bring people in.” “Urinetown,” that was nominated for 10 Tony awards in 2001 and won three of them for Best Book, Best Score and Best Direction, does have a compelling message. It’s a satirical comedy about greed, corruption, love and revolution. Set in an undisclosed city where water is verrrrry scarce after a 20-year drought and verrrrry expensive, the local government bans the use of private toilets to reduce water consumption. Citizens are forced to comply and pay to use public facilities, regulated by the monopolistic, malevolent Urine Good Company (UGC) that profits exceedingly from charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. After deciding he’s had enough, a hero, who has fallen in love with the daughter of the CEO of Urine Good Company, arises and plans a revolution! Read more about the show here: http://www.newarkcsd.org/Page/4785 Duprey is not the first director to do the show at a high school in the region. It was done at Fairport High School in 2010; at Brighton and North Rose-Wolcott high schools last year and is being done at Waterloo High School this March 14-15. And the Phelps-Clifton Springs Community Theatre did the show in 2006. “This show has a lot to say,’’ Duprey said. “I have always believed there is more to theatre than entertainment. It educates. It excites. It provokes. It starts conversations. I think this show does that. The message is clear and strong, yet there is wonderful sense of comedy in the show as it deals with very serious subjects.’’ Duprey has also been pleased about the discussions that have sparked among cast members at rehearsals “about the way we treat and value our natural resources _ especially in light of the serious drought in California that is forcing people to greatly conserve water usage.” Learn more here: http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_24998683/california-drought-bay-area-water-districts-start-asking “Is it far-fetched to think of a time when water is so scarce during a drought that it could be so regulated and controlled that it leads to a government ban on public restrooms?” he asked. And is profit-making by charging people to use amenities so far out in this day and age? Duprey just recently learned a New York City Company wants to open upscale pay toilet stations in NYC this summer that people will be charged $8 a day to use. Read more here: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/flush-with-cash-posh-pay-toilets-in-the-big-apple-2014-02-19

Besides the message value of the show, Duprey says people who also enjoy great acting, music, dancing, humor, romance and colorful characters won’t leave disappointed. “It’s truly an old-fashioned musical, with great, sing-able tunes in a variety of music styles in which boy gets girl, boy loses girl, and boy gets her back,” Duprey continued, noting that Music Theater International rates this show PG. NHS vocal music teacher Jean Bendix is the musical director; NHS instrumental music teacher Dave Schwind is director of the band; Mary Lou Bonnell is the piano accompanist and Emily Howard is helping to produce the show as well as being the choreographer. Cast members include: Ryan Tracy as Officer Lockstock Matthew Fedczuk as Caldwell B. Cladwell Spencer Edmonds as Bobby Strong Hunter O’Campo as Mr. McQueen Evan Corteville as Senator Fipp Sam Wersinger as Oldman Strong and Hot Blades Harry Grant Howard as Officer Barrel Coby Frazier as Tiny Tom Joel Fowler as Robby the Stockfish Teddy Collins as UGC Executive #1 Ethan Erway as UGC Executive #2 Ian Mac Taggart as Billy Boy Bill Elizabeth Kline as Penelope Pennywise Kathryn Brinkman as Little Sally Shea Matz as Hope Cladwell Mara Corwell as Josephine Strong Kaitlin Lyman as Cladwell’s Secretary Riley Collins as Soupy Sue Makalah Crawford as Little Becky Two Shoes Samantha Cepulo as Mrs. Millenium Maria DeRenzo as Dr. Billeaux

Ensemble members include: Jacob Lindberg, Mary Adkins, Alice Rosario, Shelby Cramer, Emily Partridge and Jillian Blodgett. There is a small pit band for this show that includes: Bonnell, on keyboard; Bob White on percussion; Andy Stobie on bass; Jenna Taylor on trombone and Mark Viavattine on reeds. Destiny Baker is the stage manager. Stage crew members include: Gillian D’Ambrosia, Alec Matz and Talon O’Campo, run crew; Josh Wilck, sound; Anthony Diamond, lighting; and Cheyenne Lane, spotlight operator. The set was designed by Steve Duprey. The set crew includes: Kate Duprey and Shelly DeRenzo (scenic painters); and set builders, Steve DeRenzo, Dave Howard, Joe Cepulo, Bob Wersinger and John MacTaggart.

The costume crew includes: Julie Blodgett, Jane Collins, Kathy Cornwell, Suzanne Erway and Lisa Fedczuk. Jennifer Demo and Jennifer Reiners did the program; Shelby Cramer designed the poster. Tickets for “Urinetown” performances are $5 for students and senior citizens and $7 for adults and will be available at the door. Senior citizens may attend the final dress rehearsal of “Urinetown” for free at 3:30 p.m. March 6. Refreshments will be served during intermission. There will be no dinner this year following the performance because of low registration. One final note, and it is bittersweet. Duprey noted that “Urinetown” will be the last show four seniors _ Ryan Tracy, Spencer Edmonds, Katie Brinkman and Elizabeth Kline _ will be performing on the NHS stage. Collectively, since Middle School, these four have appeared in 38 shows. “Their commitment to the theater program has been amazing,’’ he said.

“They will be sorely missed.”