This article was co-written by Elizabeth Porter and Alec Brandel.
Imagine a dystopian future in which the very act of peeing was punishable by being exiled. That is the reality of life in the future world of the musical Urinetown. After a 20-year drought, the citizens of this city are forced to pay a daily tax in order to pee in public toilets. Failure to pay this tax results in being sent to the mysterious Urinetown, never to be seen again. Led by Bobby Strong, whose father is sent to Urinetown, the poor people revolt.
Urinetown, the 2017 musical put on by Lake Forest High School–which begins this Thursday–examines relevant issues such as corruption, oppression, class warfare, environmental degradation through a satirical lens.
In attending a rehearsal, it was evident that the entire cast was having a great time producing the musical, which really adds to the spirit and message.
We asked some of the cast members about their perspective on the musical and what their favorite scene is. Hayley Ward, a senior who plays Little Becky Two Shoes–a crazy, blood thirsty, nine month pregnant woman–said that she loved, “the scenes where Hope is tied up and the rebels are planning on killing her, because it is fun to act so crazy…the rebel poor want to do the most immediate option, which would be killing the daughter of the guy who is taxing them to pee.”
Bryan Kingsley, a sophomore, plays Officer Lockstock, one of the main police officers in Urinetown. He noted that his favorite scene was, “the scene where I arrest Old Man Strong [played by Cameron Redding] because I like the song that goes with it; it’s a lot of fun to interact with everyone else, and it is fun to run down the aisles blowing my whistle.” Yes, people do actually run down the aisles in the musical, which makes for a truly interactive viewing experience. Our little piece of advice: be strategic with your bathroom breaks.
The immense amount of humor woven into this musical isn’t the only thing that makes it great. There is a large, deeper meaning underlying the comedy-driven plot. This meaning was summed up perfectly by members of the cast. “Even though this play is a comedy and makes fun of a ton of things, it brings up the issue of water consumption and shows that we need to start conserving water,” mentioned Alec Boyd, a freshman who plays the edgy rebel extremist, Hot Blades Harry. “Don’t take life so seriously and also be conservative of your water,” added senior Jane Margolis, who plays toilet-owner Penelope Pennywise. Obviously, water conservation is a huge topic expressed in the musical, as it lies at the base of the entire show.
According to senior Gracie Stockton, who plays Hope Cladwell, an innocent girl, the show tackles more than just water. She hopes, “people enjoy the lyrics and allusions to other shows, but I also hope that it makes them a little more conscious of truly horrible things–like water shortage and business corruption–that we encounter every day and pass off as nothing. They, and a slew of other things, are actually serious problems, and the show does a good job poking fun to make the audience truly think.”
The musical is directed by Mr. John Wanninger and Ms. Kelly MacBlane.
Come to the Raymond Moore Auditorium at 7pm on April 27, 28, or 29th to see the talented and dedicated students in their production of Urinetown. Tickets are on sale online now for $17 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. They are selling fast so buy yours today!
CAST
Bobby Strong: Adam Clayton
Hope Cladwell: Gracie Stockton
Officer Lockstock: Bryan Kingsley
Little Sally: Morgan Cohen
Penelope Pennywise: Jane Margolis
Caldwell Cladwell: Bradley Berklich
UGC/Business People
Mr. McQueen: Peter Sullivan
Senator Fipp: Nathaniel Martin
Officer Barrel: Ryan Benson
Mrs. Millennium: Eilise Lynch
Dr. Billeaux: Rana Muratoglu
Poor/Rebels
Joseph “Old Man” Strong: Cameron Redding
Josephine “Ma” Strong: Elizabeth Clayton
Hot Blades Harry: Alec Boyd
Little Becky Two Shoes: Hayley Ward
Soupy Sue: Jaclyn Lonergan
Tiny Tom: Zach Demet
Robby the Stockfish: Chris Wiegand
Billy Boy Bill: Kevin Staunton
Poor/Rebel Chorus
Isabelle Andress, Marie Atendido, Katie Barth, Laine Gamrath, Jay Graham, Lindsay Folker, Maddy Javier, Lara Keim, Cara Page, Nicole Tzioufas, Camille Valentincic
UGC/Cop Chorus
Olivia Brown, Martha Clifford, Katie Finnegan, Grace Forshage, Meghan Geraghty, Sam King, Antoinette Pompe van Meerdervoort, Grayson Pruett, Megan Szostak, Abby Wickman, Renee Ye
Not only is the cast comprised of students, but many students are hard at work behind the scenes to make this musical a reality.
Student Directors: Isabelle Andress & Grayson Pruett
Set Designers: Ryan Eleveld & Dennis Mae
Costume Designer: Dawn Neal
Assistant Costume Designer: Jay Graham
Hair & Makeup Design: Michelle Alonzi, Sarah Borland
Student Lighting Designers: Jacob Phelps & Victoria Walsh
Lighting Board Operator: Jacob Phelps
Follow Spot Operators: Joseph Neus, Samuel Neus
Sound Board Operator: Ryan Eleveld
Wireless Microphone Manager: Tessa Kerouac
Stage Manager: Michelle Alonzi
Floor Manager: Nicolette Giangiorgi
Assistant Stage Manager: Tessa Kerouac
Running Crew: Nicolette Giangiorgi,Tessa Kerouac, Geoff Markowski, Nick Ortiz, Andrea Robles, Victoria Walsh
Props Manager: Nicolette Giangiorgi,
Student Technical Directors: Ryan Eleveld & Nick Ortiz
Scenic Artist: Gracie Stockton
Lobby Display: Nick Ortiz
Master Carpenters: Ryan Benson & Jacob Phelps
Set Construction Crew: Jack Bailey, Nicolette Giangiorgi, Joseph Neus, Sam Neus, Nick Ortiz, Jacob Phelps, Cooper Sampson, Victoria Walsh, and the cast
Technical Advisors: Alyssa Loiacano & Dennis Mae
ITS Theater Advisor: Sara Dreiling
