Ashland University Theatre presents musical comedy ‘Urinetown’
Ashland University Theatre tackles corporate greed and so much more in Mark Holloman and Greg Kotis’ musical comedy “Urinetown,” which runs Feb. 19, 20, 26, and 27, at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. in the Hugo Young Theatre in the Center for the Arts.
Not the typical Broadway fare, the Tony-Award winning musical comedy “Urinetown” takes on corporate greed, poverty and social injustice by parodying popular musicals like “Les Miserables” and “West Side Story.” “Urinetown” was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, winning Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Director.
Single ticket prices are $10 for adults; $9 for senior citizens, children, Ashland University faculty and staff, and non-Ashland University students; $8 for groups of 10 or more; and $2 for Ashland University students with ID. Please call 419-289-5125 for tickets or more information or stop by the box office in the Center for the Arts at College Avenue and Grant Street, inside the lobby of the Hugo Young Theatre. Box office hours are Monday-Friday 12-6 p.m. and one hour prior to each performance.
Commanded by the ruthless Caldwell B. Cladwell’s mega-corporation Urine Good Company (UGC), mandatory public pay-per-use toilets have been installed due to a severe water shortage. Offenders of the policy are cast into the mysterious and much-feared Urinetown, never to return.
Bobby Strong, an employee of UGC, becomes a local hero, rebelling against the policy and inspiring others to action. The pure and lovely Hope Cladwell, strikingly different from her father, is captured and held hostage by the rebels. Will our hero save the day and get the girl? Will the hardened Cladwell relent and save his daughter? Despite its quirky title, “Urinetown” touches upon the serious issues which any so-called civilized society must face.
“Urinetown” is co-directed by Dr. Teresa Durbin-Ames, associate professor of theatre, and senior Cassie Haines with musical direction by Brian Nabors and choreography by Pierre Brault.
The “Urinetown” cast includes junior Taylor Hale as Bobby Strong; sophomore Tasha Brandt as Hope Cladwell; sophomore Mark Leach as Officer Lockstock; sophomore Madeline Beer as Little Sally; junior Jake Kinney as Caldwell B. Cladwell; and junior Sarah Saddler as Penelope Pennywise. The rest of the cast includes seniors Ashley Conlon and Antoinette Kula; juniors Natasha Cline and Sean Smith; sophomores Eddie Carney, Hannah Casamento, Amanda Duffee, Bekah Frient, Matt Goldsmith, and Drew Rothhaar; and freshmen Aaron Arnold, Austin Arnold, Bret Cowden, Tim Hawk, Emily Plank, Brandy Riha, and David Wagar.
Student crew members include senior Kathryn Stogran as stage manager with juniors Lauren Yobbagy and Amanda McKinney as assistant stage managers. Student designers include senior Mark Maruschak as lighting designer; sophomore Amanda Duffee as assistant costume designer; sophomore Cassandra Lersch as sound designer; and junior Natasha Cline as dramaturge.
