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Editor's Note>>
All tickets to remaining performances sold out on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
A satirical and ironic comedy with an underlying serious point will be the next offering in the 2008-09 Walter Gloor Mainstage Series at the State University of New York at Fredonia.
The Department of Theatre and Dance will present six performances of “Urinetown the Musical,” beginning Friday, Feb. 20 in Bartlett Theatre at Rockefeller Arts Center.
“Urinetown the Musical” was nominated for 10 Tony awards in 2002 and came away winning merits for best director, best original score and best book of a musical. Written by Greg Kotis, “Urinetown” was inspired by his encounters with pay-per-use toilets while traveling in Europe.
The musical premiered at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2000 and made its Broadway debut in 2001.
The SUNY Fredonia production is directed and choreographed by Dr. Jessica Hillman, a professor of theatre and dance. She asked potential audiences “not let the title of the show scare you away.”
Dr. Hillman described the show as “over-the-top,” seasoned with parodies on many musicals, including “West Side Story” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”
While the story is set in the future, the setting calls to mind a 1930s Depression-like world. It is a society that is highly regulated by the government, so much so that its citizens must pay when they need to use the restrooms.
Dr. Hillman said while the show is very humorous, it also gives audiences thinking some serious issues to consider – such as the sustainability of natural resources like fresh water, the current age of conservation and the idea of “going green.” She hopes to be able to tie the production of this musical to the campus’ “RecycleMania” program and local water-related conservation efforts.
“Urinetown” features a cast of 16 actors supported by a small pit orchestra composed of students from the School of Music. Dr. Hillman noted the show could be described as “in your face,” due to its origins in a small off-Broadway space and the intimacy of the Bartlett Theatre.
“Audience members will be immersed in the production as soon as they set foot in the lobby,” she said.
“Urinetown” is sponsored by Midtown Realty as part of the Lakeshore Savings Season.
Show dates and times are Feb. 20 and 21 at 8 p.m., Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. and Feb. 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m.
Stephen E. Rees, chairman of the Department of Theatre and Dance, said proceeds from the Feb. 28 performance will go to the Timothy Douglas Jensen Class of 1990 Fund. Jensen was a student at SUNY Fredonia from 1986 to 1990, graduating with a BFA degree in acting. He passed away in December of 2005. The fund was established by his classmates in honor of his memory.
For tickets, visit the SUNY Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center, call 716-673-3501 (1-866-441-4928) or go to www.fredonia.edu/tickets
