For Immediate Release Friday, October 12, 2007
Hamilton Theatre Inc. presents the Hamilton, Ontario Premiere of
Book and Lyrics by Greg Kotis Music and Lyrics by Mark Hollmann
“This Greg Kotis-Mark Hollmann musical is more sophisticated than Hairspray, more fun than Mama Mia, more outrageous than The Producers. It is, in fact, a very New York sort of show. Audacious, daring and anarchistic.” – Gary Smith, The Hamilton Spectator
“URINETOWN sends up everyone from big business, to bleeding-heart liberals, to musical theatre itself with an abandon that is almost giddy.” – John Coulbourn, The Toronto Sun
“Hollmann's score is richly melodic, mixing Broadway brass with gospel funk and then taking the whole thing for a walk on the Weill side.” – Richard Ouzounian, The Toronto Star
“URINETOWN is musical comedy heaven." – Robert Cushman, The National Post
“A marvelously self-conscious satire of the musical theater's social conscience, which focuses equally on human rights and body waste.” – Bruce Weber, The New York Times
Hamilton, Ontario – Hamilton Theatre Inc. (HTI) presents the Hamilton, Ontario premiere of URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL, opening November 2, 2007 and running to November 11, 2007 at The Downtown Arts Centre, 28 Rebecca Street, Hamilton, Ontario.
"We are thrilled to present the Hamilton, Ontario premiere of this outrageous musical comedy," says HTI’s Chair Bob Reynolds. “This edgy production has tapped into a brand new well of talented musical theatre performers and creative artists. We are proud to have so many new faces along with several long time HTI members combining their talents into this juggernaut of energy, imagination, and entertainment.”
"Producer Jared Lenover and I are both very excited to be a part of this dynamic production," HTI’s URINETOWN Director Matthew Moore added. "We fell in love with URINETOWN the moment it hit Broadway. The chance to collaborate with HTI on this wickedly funny show is a dream come true."
A spirited send-up of musicals and their conventions, URINETOWN opened on Broadway in 2001 to rave reviews, went on to win three Tony Awards including Best Book and Score and played to packed houses for three years. The critically acclaimed 2004 Toronto production presented by Dancap and Canstage went on to win six Dora Awards, including Outstanding Production of a Musical.
Set in a Gotham-like City overwrought by ecological disaster, URINETOWN is a tale of greed, corruption, love and revolution in a time when water is worth its very weight in gold. A depletion of the earth's water supply has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The privilege to pee is regulated by a single, malevolent corporation, which profits by charging admission for one of mankind's most basic needs. HTI’s production of URINETOWN is performed with permission from Musical Theatre International.
The cast of HTI’s production of URINETOWN includes, Steven B. Andrews (Billy Boy Bill), Erik Canaria (Officer Barrel), Lauren Dobbie (Little Sally), Matt Dyck (Senator Fipp), Sabrina Feser (Franny Foreclosure), Barbara Fisher (Penelope Pennywise), Christine Forsyth-Bering (Soupy Sue), Brian Gedcke (Mr. McQueen), Graham Jenner (Officer Lockstock), Marco Lutterotti (Bobby Strong), Matthew Minnick (Robbie The Stockfish), Andrew Noble (Tiny Tom), Alison O’Neill (Hope Cladwell), Jessica Panetta (Ms. Millenium), Chris Ramelan (Hot Blades Harry/Old Man Strong), Jim Selman (Cladwell B. Cladwell), Teresa Wilson (Josephine Strong), and Stephanie Yantsis (Little Becky Two Shoes).
URINETOWN is the brainchild of Greg Kotis (Book and Lyrics) and Mark Hollmann (Music and Lyrics). The production team for HTI’s presentation of URINETOWN includes Meghan Banks (Choreographer), Wes Fletcher (Assistant Producer / Assistant Stage Manager), Jared Lenover (Producer), Matthew Moore (Director), Ciara Murphy (Stage Manager), Nicole Redmond (Costume Designer), Lauren Repei (Script Assistant), and Andrea Unrau (Musical Director).
Performances of HTI’s URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL will take place November 2, 3, 9 and 10, 2007 at 8pm and November 4 and 11, 2007 at 2pm at The Downtown Arts Centre located at 28 Rebecca Street in Hamilton, Ontario. For tickets visit HTI’s Box Office at 140 MacNab Street North, Hamilton, Ontario or call (905) 522-3032. Tickets are $23. Seniors are $20. Students are $15. Groups of 16 or more are $18 each. HTI’s Box Office accepts Cash, Debit, Visa, and Master Card. HTI’s Box Office will open at The Downtown Arts Centre one hour prior to curtain on performance dates.
Members of the media who would like to review the show or make interview requests are asked to contact Lyla Miklos, HTI’s Publicist, at [email protected]. Cast and Crew Bios, Promotional Photos, a URINETOWN Backgrounder, and HTI’s URINETOWN Poster can be made available to members of the media upon request.
Media Contact: Lyla Miklos Publicist, Hamilton Theatre Inc. E-mail: [email protected]
Hamilton Theatre Inc. (HTI) has been a training ground for theatre people to hone their art since 1956. Acting, singing, dancing, designing, creating, engineering, working and playing together has made HTI one of the most successful and enduring community theatre companies in Southern Ontario. HTI is a non-profit charitable arts organization completely made up of volunteers all with a passion and love for the theatrical arts.
Website: www.hamiltontheatre.com Studio Line: (905) 522-1715 Box Office: (905) 522-3032 Fax: (905) 522-3048 Mailing Address: 140 MacNab Street North, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8R 2M3