This release was written by SMWC student, Christina Lee Bessell.

First photo - Sharon Ammen, associate professor of Theatre, SMWC, watches as “Officer Lockstock”, Brandon Wentz, and “Little Sally”, Danielle O'Connor, practice their parts for the upcoming musical, “Urinetown.”

Second photo - Rebecca Maurey as “The Duchess of the Isles of Langerhans” and Jennifer Shetley, playing “Little Becky Two Shoes” review their scene for the musical “Urinetown.”

Third photo - Brandon Wentz as “Officer Lockstock” and Whitney Kos as “Penelope Pennywise” practice together in preparation of the humorous musical, suitable for children, “Urinetown.”

The Music and Theatre Department at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College will present the Wabash Valley debut of the Tony award-winning musical “Urinetown,” by Mark Holliman and Greg Kotis. Don’t let the title fool you—this show is a hilarious conglomeration of every musical comedy style you’ve grown to love—all under the guise of a dystopia where a drought has caused a water shortage and all citizens must pay to in order to relieve themselves. That’s right - pay to pee.

“Urinetown” was first produced on Broadway in September 2001, and filled the Henry Miller Theatre in New York for more than two years. This musical satire was inspired by a trip to England where Greg Kotis had to use a pay-per-use toilet.

Sharon Ammen, associate professor of Theatre at SMWC, says the best line in the play is, “It ain’t no joke that’s why it’s funny.” “Urinetown” might have started out as just a parody on plays, but it has come to be associated with environmental issues facing everyone today. It makes a lot of fun but it has a serious undercurrent: how would we deal with an environmental crisis.
Ammen uses parts of “Urinetown” as examples when teaching her Earth Literacy Masters course at SMWC even though the musical is incredibly comical. She thought it would be fun to present a show that would connect with other efforts at SMWC to raise environmental awareness.

SMWC has a small grant through Arts Illiana to help produce “Urinetown.” The show is opening in coordination with the Feb. 18 Focus the Woods: Water. Focus the Woods is an annual presentation at SMWC covering environmental and sustainability issues. This year’s talks center on water use. Those who attend Focus the Woods will receive free admission to the Feb. 18 performance of “Urinetown.”

The show has something for everyone, from kids to adults. There is a lot of dance, parody, physical humor and play on words. “It’s a romp,” says Barry Donaghue, who plays corrupt businessman Caldwell B. Cladwell who charges exorbitant fees to pee. “It is a very knowing show with a lot of tongue in cheek. The music is a reflection of that,” says John Berst, the music director for SMWC’s “Urinetown”.

The musical will be performed on the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College campus in Cecilian Auditorium located in the Conservatory of Music. Show times are: 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 18; 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 19; 2 p.m. and again at 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 20; and at 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 21. Tickets are $5.00 for children and seniors (children under 12 are admitted free of charge) and $10.00 for adults. Students from SMWC, ISU and Rose-Hulman are admitted free with a student ID. Free tickets and reception on Feb. 18 for those attending Focus the Woods: Water. Call the Music and Theatre Hotline at 812-535-6211 for further information.