Social Justice with a Twist: Urinetown to be Performed at Gustavus Adolphus College

The Department of Theatre and Dance at Gustavus Adolphus College presents a witty performance of Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis’ musical Urinetown. Directed by Amy Seham, performances will be held in Anderson Theatre on February 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 8 p.m., with matinee performances on February 21 and 28 at 2 p.m.

Urinetown imagines a future in which poor citizens must pay for the “privilege to pee” by a law enforced by a corporate power working to manage a water shortage. Comical chaos culminates in a rebellion after a popular leader is sentenced to “Urinetown” for failing to pay. But the musical question, “What is Urinetown?” remains at the heart of the story. The equal access dilemma is paralleled by, and soon becomes entangled with, a heart-warming love story of two young, brave souls struggling to fight for what they believe in.

The liveliness of the story line is complemented by witty, energetic music. Each song presents a clever parody of a well-known musical genre, displaying a wide range of periods and styles. The many layers of the musical will have you dancing in your seat and will also set a number of philosophical questions dancing in your mind. The show is both a commentary on corporate control and a humorous glance at human nature at its best and its worst. In a lighthearted but poignant way, the musical questions the roles of multinational corporations, citizens, capitalism, and do-gooders alike in times of scarcity. It ultimately asks the question, “In what ways does Urinetown exist in our reality?”

Urinetown features guest artist and choreographer Natalie Brown, and student designers Bryan Pelach, set design, and Kristen Weller, costume design. The musical director is Christina Dryland Smith and lighting design is by Terena Wilkens.

Tickets are available on-line at www.gustavustickets.com or by calling the Gustavus Ticket Center at (507) 933-7590. Adult tickets are $9.00, student and senior citizen tickets $6.00, Gustavus students and staff free of charge with ID. Tickets not purchased in advance may be purchased at the Anderson Theatre Box Office beginning one hour prior to curtain.