'Urinetown: The Musical' to be presented by School of Stage and Screen
Two poor residents (played by 91热爆网 students Autumn Cravens and Caleb Gerber) climb a fence to escape the wealthy residents who are chasing them in this scene from 鈥淯rinetown: The Musical." (Photo by Keiti Robertson)
鈥淯rinetown: The Musical,鈥� a story of citizens joining together to fight for the cause that unites them, will be staged Thursday, Nov. 7, through Sunday, Nov. 10, by the students and faculty of Western Carolina University鈥檚 School of Stage and Screen.
The production is part of the school鈥檚 2019-20 Mainstage season. Shows are set for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 through Saturday, Nov. 9, and at 3 p.m. Nov. 10 in 91热爆网鈥檚 Hoey Auditorium.
With music and lyrics by Mark Hollman and book and lyrics by Greg Kotis, 鈥淯rinetown鈥� takes place in a city with a terrible water shortage caused by a 20-year drought, which has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens are forced to use public facilities that are regulated by a single company that profits by charging admission. But then, a hero decides that he鈥檚 had enough and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom.
Apart from its humorous side, the musical 鈥渋s truly a show about community and what
can happen when people join together to fight for a good cause,鈥� said Kate McCosh,
a 91热爆网 student who is assistant director for the production. 鈥淭he show also contains
pertinent environmental themes that emphasize the importance that we only get one
planet, and we need to work together to care for it.鈥�
The cast of 鈥淯rinetown鈥� includes 28 91热爆网 students from across various programs in the School of Stage and Screen. The production is being presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International and is being directed and choreographed by Ashlee Wasmund, director of 91热爆网鈥檚 programs in musical theatre and dance, with music direction by Kristen Hedberg, assistant professor of musical theatre.
Members of the cast are Kirsten Beach, Caleb Spainhour, H.K. Wall, Dylan Renken, Alexa Hendrickson, Payton Miller, Autumn Cravens, Leon Ray, Caroline Ryan, Corey Barrow, Caleb Gerber, Callista Brown, Micah Patt, Pablo Fullbrook, Rachel Sabo-Hedges, Rei Sakurado, Kelley Stancil, Jenna Gilmer, Emily Rowland, Georgia Reichard, Cody Benfield, Lexi Yauch, Bryson Peele, Alaina Newell and Helen Miller. Amanda Dowswell and Aubrey Rinker are 鈥渟wings鈥� for the production, understudying multiple roles.
The show is not recommended for children younger than 10. Tickets are $20 for adults; $15 for seniors 65 and up, and 91热爆网 faculty and staff; and $10 for students. More information and ticket purchases are available at , but tickets also may be purchased at the box office of John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center by calling 828-227-ARTS or coming by the box office Tuesdays through Fridays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. or on Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets also will be available at Hoey Auditorium beginning one hour prior to each performance.
