Ithaca College Theatre presents the final three performances of Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis’s “Urinetown: The Musical,” winner of three Tony Awards, Nov. 10th and 11th at 8PM and Nov. 11th at 2PM. Discount pricing ($8 per ticket) is in place for Ithaca College students, staff, alumni and faculty.
Tickets can be purchased by calling the Ithaca College Theatre box office at (607) 274-3224, the Clinton House at (607) 273-4497, or by visiting ithacaevents.com. Group discounts are available. Patrons are encouraged to bring canned goods to the theater for distribution to those in need.
The idea for “Urinetown” was born in the spring of 1995 when Greg Kotis, traveling in Europe, encountered pay-per-use toilets at the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. It was then that the musical’s central idea hit him: a Gotham-like city where all the toilets were controlled by a greedy, crooked corporation with no concern for the poor, bladder-oppressed masses.
According to Kotis, the show “was created in a spirit of defiance against what’s typically offered up as stage worthy in America today.” The result is pure, hilarious and innovative entertainment. The show parodies many popular musicals and theater conventions and playfully pokes fun at itself. “Urinetown” is also rich with social commentary about the American economy, the division between rich and poor, and the way we abuse the environment we depend on.
In 1999 “Urinetown” got its start when the New York City Fringe Festival was looking to add more musicals to its lineup. “Urinetown” became the hit of the festival, and its success led to a commercial production. Flush with the talents of an all-star creative and producing team, “Urinetown” took home Tony Awards in 2002 for best director, best original score and best book of a musical. “Urinetown” moved on to a national tour and is currently enjoying great success at the educational/community theater level.
Lee Byron, associate professor and chair of the Department of Theatre Arts, is the director of the Ithaca College Theatre production of “Urinetown.” The choreographer is Mary Corsaro, associate professor of theatre arts. Laura Hill ’07 is the assistant to the director and Jonathan Burke ’08 is the assistant to the choreographer.
The musical director and conductor is Mark Kaczmarczyk, assistant professor of music performance; the accompanist/performance pianist is Joel Gelpe. The stage manager is Kali DiPippo ’07.
The cast includes Gary G. Howell ’07 as Officer Lockstock, Shauna Goodgold ’07 as Penelope Pennywise, Jeremy Jordan ’07 as Bobby Strong, Emily Walton ’09 as Little Sally, Elise Riveron ’07 as Hope Cladwell, Dan Greenwood ’08 as Caldwell B. Cladwell, and Michael Mott ’07 as Senator Fipp.
The design team includes scenic designer Stephanie Tucci ’07; costume designer Andrew Cavanaugh.
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20061108153412322