What IS “Urinetown”?
For a “full” synopsis, flip to the end of this packet. Simply put, Urinetown is a sidesplitting sendup of greed, love, revolution (and musicals!), in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. It is a comedy musical that premiered in 2001, that satirizes the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, and municipal politics. The show also parodies musicals such as The Threepenny Opera, The Cradle Will Rock and Les Misérables, and the Broadway musical itself.
Winner of three Tony Awards, three Outer Critics Circle Awards, two Lucille Lortel Awards and two Obie Awards, Urinetown is an hilarious musical satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics and musical theatre itself! Hilariously funny and touchingly honest, Urinetown provides a fresh perspective on one of America's greatest art forms. The characters of Bobby Strong and Hope Cladwell were included on New York Theatre Monthly's list of "The 100 Greatest Roles in Musical Theatre".
In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides that he's had enough and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom!
Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, Urinetown is an irreverently humorous satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny. Praised for reinvigorating the very notion of what a musical could be, Urinetown catapults the "comedic romp" into the new millennium with its outrageous perspective, wickedly modern wit and sustained ability to produce gales of unbridled laughter. This ensemble-based production is rated PG-13. Musical Numbers
Overture Too Much Exposition (Lockstock & Ensemble) Urinetown (Ensemble) It's a Privilege to Pee (Pennywise & “The Poor” Ensemble) Mr. Cladwell (Cladwell, Hope, McQueen, Dr. Billeaux & “The Rich” Ensemble) Cop Song (Lockstock, Barrel & Ensemble) Follow Your Heart (Hope & Bobby) Look at the Sky (Bobby & “The Poor” Ensemble) Don't Be the Bunny (Cladwell, McQueen, Fipp, “The Rich”/UGC Staff) Act One Finale (All with Features) What is Urinetown? (All with Features) Snuff That Girl (Hot Blades Harry, Little Becky Two-Shoes, Tiny Tom, Soupy Sue, Robby, Billy Boy & “The Poor”) Run, Freedom, Run (Bobby & “The Poor”) Follow Your Heart Reprise (Hope) Why Did I Listen to That Man? (Penny, Fipp, Lockstock & Barrel, Hope & Bobby) Tell Her I Love Her (Little Sally & Bobby) We’re Not Sorry (Pretty much Everyone) We're Not Sorry Reprise (Cladwell & Penny) I See a River (Hope, Little Becky, Josephine, Ghosts of the Dead & “The Poor”)
Character Breakdown
Officer Lockstock The tongue-in-cheek narrator of our story, he is a corrupt policeman who secretly kills off the guilty offenders. Bold, brash, and larger than life in many ways. Gender: male; Age: 35 to 55 Vocal range top: A4; Vocal range bottom: A2
Officer Barrel Lockstock's patrol partner. A thuggish and aggressive policeman. Gender: male; Age: 30 to 50 Vocal range top: F4; Vocal range bottom: G2
Penelope Pennywise The tough, jaded warden of the poorest, filthiest town urinal. She is Cladwell's one-time lover and mother to Hope who eventually softens her temper. Gender: female; Age: 30 to 45 Vocal range top: C6; Vocal range bottom: A3
Bobby Strong The dashing, rebellious everyman who works for Miss Pennywise at the poorest, filthiest town urinal. He becomes an unsuspecting protagonist and romantic hero when he starts a revolution and falls in love with Hope Cladwell. Gender: male; Age: 20 to 30 Vocal range top: C5; Vocal range bottom: A2
Little Sally A precocious and irreverent street urchin. She serves as a quasi-narrator who often questions Lockstock and the play's logic. Gender: female; Age: 20 to 40 Vocal range top: E5; Vocal range bottom: A3
Caldwell B. Cladwell The evil president and owner of the Urine Good Company. He is a miserly money-grubber who gleefully exploits the poor. Gender: male; Age: 50 to 65 Vocal range top: G4; Vocal range bottom: A2
Hope Cladwell Cladwell's ravishingly beautiful daughter, torn between her father and her new love for Bobby. She begins as an innocent, naive angel but becomes vengeful and determined after being exposed to her father's evil. Gender: female; Age: 20 to 30 Vocal range top: A5; Vocal range bottom: A3
Mr. McQueen Cladwell's sycophantic lackey. A servile assistant. Gender: male; Age: 30 to 45 Vocal range top: -1; Vocal range bottom: B2
Senator Fipp A greedy politician in Cladwell's pocket. A bumbling coward. Gender: male; Age: 40 to 55 Vocal range top: F4; Vocal range bottom: C#3
Joseph "Old Man" Strong Bobby's rebellious father. His refusal to pay the fee sends him to Urinetown, ultimately launching the revolution. Gender: male; Age: 50 to 65 Optional Doubling as HOT BLADES HARRY.
Hot Blades Harry One of the Poor, he is a psychopath and can become a violent loose cannon. May very well speak constantly with either an invisible friend… or a sock puppet. Gender: male Age: 45 to 60 Vocal range top: F4; Vocal range bottom: A2 Optional Doubling as JOSEPH "OLD MAN" STRONG.
Tiny Tom One of the Poor, he is an idiotic man-child. Gender: male; Age: 30 to 50 Vocal range top: A3; Vocal range bottom: D3 Optional Doubling as DR. BILLEAUX.
Dr. Billeaux Head of Research and Development at UGC. Gender: male; Age: 30 to 50 Vocal range top: A3; Vocal range bottom: E3 Optional Doubling as TINY TOM.
Soupy Sue One of the Poor, she is excitable and easily panicked. Gender: female; Age: 25 to 40 Vocal range top: B4; Vocal range bottom: Bb3 Optional Doubling as CLADWELL'S SECRETARY.
Little Becky Two-shoes One of the Poor. She is foul-mouthed, impulsive, and accusatory. Gender: female; Age: 20 to 40 Vocal range top: F5; Vocal range bottom: Bb3 Optional Doubling as MRS. MILLENIUM.
Josephine "Ma" Strong Bobby's mother and Joseph's wife. A strong-willed woman with a bite, able to withstand the hard hand life has dealt her. Gender: female; Age: 55 to 65 Vocal range top: D5; Vocal range bottom: Bb3 Optional Doubling as OLD WOMAN.
Ensemble Possibilities Robby the Stockfish (featured vocalist) / Business Man #1 (Can Double) Billy Boy Bill (featured vocalist) / Business Man #2 (Can Double) Mrs. Millenium (Can Double) Old Woman (Can Double) Girl Cop (featured vocalist) Boy Cop 1 (featured vocalist) Boy Cop 2 (featured vocalist) UGC Staff Members (Suits) Additional “Rich” Additional “Poor”
Estimated Cast Size: Minimum 20; Maximum 40
Full Synopsis
Act One
We begin at the poorest, filthiest urinal in town. Officer Lockstock, a policeman, enters and surveys the scene. He greets the audience. Penelope Pennywise and Bobby Strong enter, discussing the Old So-and-so who was recently carted off to Urinetown. Lockstock tells the audience that Urinetown, itself, is a mythical place that they won't see until Act II, but Urinetown, the musical, is starting now. Little Sally enters and she and Lockstock discuss the dangers of too much exposition in a show. They then proceed to explain that there is a water shortage and public bathrooms have been replaced by private toilets. The fee to use these public bathrooms is controlled by a private company, the Urine Good Company, that keeps prices high. Since using the bushes is illegal, Little Sally counts her pennies in hopes of using the urinal ("Urinetown").
An ingénue type named Hope enters, looking for the Urine Good Company. Bobby directs her towards the gleaming tower on a distant hill. They have a moment. Bobby's pa, Old Man Strong, doesn't have enough money for the fee. He begs Bobby to let him go for free. Penny, however, will have none of it. After 20 years of drought, everyone has to make sacrifices ("It's a Privilege to Pee"). Old Man Strong can't take it anymore and intends to use a wall to relieve himself. Lockstock and his partner, Barrel, remind him that breaking the Public Health Act is an exiling offense, and Old Man Strong is dragged off to Urinetown ("It's a Privilege to Pee – Lockstock's Reprise").
The scene moves to the executive offices of the Urine Good Company. Caldwell B. Cladwell, the president of the UGC and resident villain, is in a meeting. Cladwell is convinced that new fee hikes will breeze through the legislature, while Senator Fipp thinks that there will be unrest if it does. Hope enters. It turns out that she is Cladwell's daughter, back from university. She is also her father's new fax/copy girl. Cladwell insists that she say a few words, so she makes a speech that praises the company. Cladwell interjects and his fellow execs praise him ("Mr. Cladwell").
Later that evening, Officers Lockstock and Barrel run into Little Sally counting her pennies. Lockstock gives her a coin and ushers her home. When she leaves, the officers discuss being exiled to Urinetown and reminisce about other Urinetown victims ("Cop Song"). Hope enters after a long day of faxing and copying and runs into Bobby, who is still smarting from the removal of his father. Bobby is feeling cold and empty because he didn't help his father, and Hope suggests that he listen to his heart. He doesn't realize that he has a heart, nor does he know how to listen to it. She teaches him ("Follow Your Heart"). They say goodnight and kiss.
Lockstock and Little Sally appear, seemingly out of nowhere; she asks Lockstock if Hope loves Bobby, and Lockstock confirms that she does – he's the hero... she has to love him. Little Sally then asks about Urinetown. Lockstock still can't tell her but does slip and reveals there is actually no "Urinetown." They just kill people. The two depart as the next scene begins.
The next morning, new fee hikes are announced, much to the anguish of the poor citizens. Bobby arrives at work after a long night of thinking about what happened to his father. He wonders if the law is wrong. Penny tells Bobby to get his head out of the clouds. Bobby, however, dreams of a beautiful world where everyone is free. Despite Penny's protests, Bobby let's everyone, including his mother, into the urinal for free ("Look to the Sky").
In the offices of UGC, Cladwell congratulates Fipp on the passage of the new legislation. Penny enters and tells Cladwell that there is rioting at her amenity, and that Bobby Strong is letting people pee for free. Cladwell wants to crush the rebellion, but Hope suggests that her father listen to Bobby's heart. She thinks that life should be beautiful, but Cladwell explains that life is a beating – you either beat or get beaten ("Don't Be the Bunny")
Back at the poorest, filthiest urinal in town, Little Sally asks Lockstock what is happening while Bobby lets the masses into the urinal. Lockstock informs her and the audience that it is the Act One finale, where Cladwell arrives to snuff out the uprising! During the hubbub, Bobby and Hope have a moment where they confront the lies and misconceptions. Cladwell then warns that Bobby's rush for freedom will have dangerous consequences, but Bobby doesn't care. In order to ensure their escape, the rebels kidnap Hope and run off ("Act 1 Finale").
Act Two
The second act begins with the rebels holed up in a secret hideout – identified by an indiscreet sign – where they have Hope tied up. As they anxiously await Bobby's return, they theorize about where Urinetown actually is. Simultaneously, Cladwell and his henchman, Bobby, and Little Sally each theorize what Urinetown is with the audience. The verdict: Urinetown is your town if you're hopeless, down and out ("What Is Urinetown?")
Inside the hideout, the rebels wonder what to do with their hostage, Hope. They want to take out all of their anger and frustration on her and kill her ("Snuff That Girl"). Bobby appears and reminds them that the purpose of their revolution was to ensure that no man or woman could be denied their essential humanity due to the condition of their pocketbook ("Run, Freedom, Run"). Penny then arrives. She tells Bobby that Cladwell wants his amenities up and working and is willing to discuss a solution. He agrees, much to the gang's skepticism. Hope is left with the rebels as collateral, and Bobby and Penny leave for the meeting. Before he goes, he tells Hope to look for the answer to their problems in her heart. She tries ("Follow Your Heart – Reprise").
Later, at the offices of Urine Good Company, Cladwell meets with Bobby. He proposes an offer to Bobby: a load of cash and full amnesty to all of those involved, in exchange for an end to his rebellion and agreement of returning to the improved fee schedule. Bobby refuses the cash and tells Cladwell that all he wants is free access to the amenities for all. Bobby's wish will not be granted, and Cladwell has him sent to Urinetown, even if it has dire consequences for Hope. Realizing how ruthless Cladwell actually is, Penny and Fipp wonder if he is worthy of the trust that they put in him ("Why Did I Listen to That Man?"). Lockstock and Barell take Bobby to the top of the UGC building roof – it turns out that "Urinetown" really is just death. Without hesitation, they hurl Bobby off the building... to his untimely death.
Back at the secret hideout, Little Sally informs the rebels that she saw Bobby being thrown off a building, and that his last words were that he loved Hope. With help from Bobby's ghost, Little Sally tells Hope and the rebels that they must fight for what they know is right ("Tell Her I Love Her"). In a fit of rage, the rebels decide that they must kill Hope as revenge for Bobby's death, but Penny – who turns out to be Hope's mother – offers her life instead. Hope, in seeing Penny's reform, realizes that, if she can change, maybe Urinetown can change. She tells the rebels that, if they kill her, they kill the rebellion. However, if they let Hope lead, they will win. The rebels agree to follow her and march towards Cladwell's headquarters. Hope confronts her father, and he tells her that love is not as important as food, water and shelter... as well as piles and piles of cash. He is promptly taken away to Urinetown ("We're Not Sorry").
Hope proceeds to declare that day a brand new day, a day of hope. Lockstock reappears, acting as a narrator, to inform the audience that Hope opened up the toilets for all. They even renamed the UGC to the Bobby Strong Memorial Toilet Authority and operated for the benefit of the public. But, as originally predicted, it wasn't long before the water disappeared all together; many died. It turns out that, despite being a tyrant, Cladwell's methods did effectively regulate water consumption. Hope's desire for the people's love caused her to abandon regulation and, in the end, the people recognized their town for what it was: Urinetown ("I See a River").
Proposed Audition/Rehearsal/Show Schedule AUDITIONS: December 5 & 6, 2016 (6:30-9pm) START DATE: January 4, 2017 REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:
January 5, 9, 11, 18, 19, 23, 25, 26 & 30 (6:30-9pm) Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat 1 2 – No School 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16– No School 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
February, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15 & 27 (6:30-9pm) Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20– No School 21– No School 22– No School 23– No School 24– No School 25 26 27 28
March 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24 & 29 (6:30-9pm); March 25 (noon-6pm) Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 (?) 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
April 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 13, 24, 25, 27 (6:30-9pm), April 15 (noon-6pm); April 29 (noon-9pm) Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 (?) 16 17– No School 18– No School 19– No School 20– No School 21– No School 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
TECH WEEK: May 1, 2, 3 & 4 (5-9:30pm); SHOWS: May 5 & 6, 2017 Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat SHOW 1 2 3 4 5 6 WEEK SHOW 2 SHOWS 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29– No School 30 31
Date Conflicts that may or may not effect crossover music participants:
January 11 - Districts March 8 - MAJE Jazz Festival (Big Band) March 10 - All States March 15 – Art Night April 15 - MICCA Gold Medal Showcase (If Band and/or Choir gets invited, all students will be required to go, so this date is tentative) April 29 - MAJE Jazz Festival (Small Band) ?? – Voice Lessons ?? – Instrument Lessons
Other Conflicts to note (that are assumed):
Mondays – Student Council (6:30-7:30pm) April 10, 24 & May 1 MUST defer to Drama. Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays – Robotics March 4, 25, April 15 & 29 – Destination Imagination. April 15 & 19 MUST defer to Drama. (Approved by Mrs. Messcher, though the 15th is TBD around MICCA Gold Medal Showcase.) ?? – Baseball, Softball, Hockey, Swimming, Track & Field & Basketball. Don’t know practice schedule. April 29-May 4 conflicts MUST defer to Drama 100%. Anticipated Questions & their Answers:
QUESTION: Will Mr. Bloch and Mrs. Govang work around conflicts? ANSWER: Yes, as much as possible, though conflicts will play a SERIOUS role in where you will be considered for placement in the cast.
QUESTION: Define “SERIOUS” ANSWER: If you are sure to miss more than 1/3 of rehearsals, you can bank on not getting a lead, but you may be considered for a supporting/ensemble role...which still happens to rock bigtime in this show.
QUESTION: If I have conflicts, should I still audition? ANSWER: Absolutely, but make sure ALL conflicts (including potential ones) are stated on your audition form. If they are not stated on your audition form, they will not be considered viable conflicts during the scheduled rehearsal process.
QUESTION: Will everyone who auditions get cast in this show? ANSWER: Maybe yes. Maybe no. With this production, there can be a minimum of 14 players and a maximum of more than will even audition herein. When casting the show, we will determine the best mix for this production after considering those who audition, where conflicts fall, and what the best cast will be to bring out the best overall show. That being said – we always try to have students involved if they want to be.
QUESTION: Who should I contact if I have questions not covered here? ANSWER: Mrs. Govang - [email protected].
AUDITIONS
For auditions, there will be musical auditions held on the first day and acting auditions (cold readings) done on the second day. Expect to work improvisationally to some degree. Acting, especially character work and comic timing, is crucial to the success of this musical. Musical requirements (it is recommended you be familiar with): Ladies #10 “Act 1 Finale” bars 113-128 (Hope’s part) #19 “I See a River” bars 3-19 Gentlemen #8 “Look at the Sky” bars 31-50 #9 “Don’t Be the Bunny” bars 3-26