High School Musical "Urinetown the Musical"
Tim Marsden, Red Oak High School Vocal Instructor
Red Oak High School vocal music students are hard at work with this year’s Musical Theater production of “Urinetown the Musical”. This will be the first time that “Urinetown” has been produced at ROHS. The show originally premiered on Broadway in 2001 and won 3 Tony Awards. “Don’t let the title put you off. By the end of this show performers and audiences alike will be laughing so hard they’ll… fall off their chairs.”
“In all seriousness, “Urinetown” is pretty much your typical musical. Boy meets girl, who happens to be big baddie's daughter, they fall in love, lead a revolution against evil oppressors and live happily ever after… oh wait. Wrong show.
“Urinetown the Musical” is a satire of most musicals. It parodies the style, structure, and story of a typical Broadway musical. It also jabs at the legal system, capitalism, corrupt corporations, environmental waste, and peoples’ sense of entitlements.
“Urinetown” takes place in a time of desperation and desolation. A massive water shortage (caused by a twenty-year drought) means that private toilets have been outlawed and the public now must pay “for the privilege to pee”. These public amenities, as they’re known, are run by the evil Urine Good Company (or UGC) headed up by the villainous Caldwell B. Cladwell. If citizens relieve themselves in public or refuse to pay the fee, they’re sent to the infamous Urinetown. When our hero's, Bobby Strong, father is carted off to Urinetown and never heard from again (except in ghost form) he conspires to lead a revolution against the corruption and oppression. Ultimately, he ends up being taken to Urinetown himself, which as it turns out is not a place.
“Urinetown” is filled with great music, larger than life characters, hilarious comedy, and even some sweet and tender moments. While the title may sound a bit crass, the show is quite innocent and would be considered appropriate for family viewing. Make plans to come and see our wonderful cast of students bring this witty and very funny show to life.
Students involved in this year’s production are: Ethan Horn, Libby Mensen, Connor Koppa, Eva Sherman, Brandon VanHoose, Madison Bruce, Jenna Klyn, Mason Perkins, Caitlyn Butz, Garrett Hurt, Sam Ross, Madison Hewett, Kadee Gass, Aidan Eubank, Courtni Lidsay, Halee Myers, Avery Graham, Grayson Hewett, Rhenn Rolenc, Kate Edie, Aedynn Graham, Mya Southwell, Lindsey Porter, Alissa Rice, Lillian Johnson, and Emily Peterson.
The musical is under the direction of Tim and Terra Marsden with Trinity LaMar as stage manager and Eva Sherman as choreographer. ROHS will be presenting their production of “Urinetown the Musical” on February 21-24, with shows at 7:00 PM on Thursday-Saturday and a 2:00 PM show on Sunday. Due to construction, performances will be held at the beautiful Wilson Performing Arts Center at 300 Commerce Drive. Call 623-3183 for tickets.