Two Sides – Both Right … Both Wrong

Urinetown, The Musical, Highlights Clash of Perspectives

By Noel Smith

Cabrillo Stage finishes its 2014-15 season with Saga of a community with two sides unwilling to compromise in the comedy Urinetown, The Musical.

Directed by Andrew Ceglio with musical direction by Michael J. McGushin and choreography by Ashley Rae Little, Urinetown is sure to delight with its satirical tale of water consumption and conservation. Set in a futuristic world, a terrible water shortage has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets in an attempt to regulate water consumption. The citizens of Urinetown must use public, pay-per-use amenities owned and operated by the Urine Good Company, a malevolent corporation run by the corrupt Caldwell B. Cladwell. Heroic Bobby Strong leads the fight against this practice in a musical comedy that spoofs musical comedy and musical drama. Music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann and based on the book and lyrics by Greg Kotis.

“Cabrillo Stage … located on the Cabrillo College Campus, (has) been producing live, Broadway caliber musical theatre in Santa Cruz County for 33 years,” said Jon Nordgren, Artistic Director, Cabrillo Stage, “This winter’s production is fun and exciting. Something new and different.”

Ceglio, who played a marvelously memorable Fagin in this past summer’s production of “Oliver!”, gave his impression of Urinetown and its cast: “It’s about the universal issue of the use of power,” said Ceglio, “And what is good and what is bad is highlighted by a town caught in the grip of a 20 years-long drought. Sound familiar?”

Ceglio said its biting, thought provoking satire produces some very strong characters, supported by a spectacular musical score and an ensemble with lots of singing and dancing; all combining to drive the story forward to its ironic conclusion. “Who are the heroes and who are the villains depends on your perspective and who do you feel was right at the conclusion,” said Ceglio.

The cast of twenty includes Max Bennett-Parker as Officer Lockstock, a policeman who is both narrator and character. “I’ve been part of the Cabrillo Stage family for seven years starting with the play ‘Forever Plaid’. My favorite piece in the score of Urinetown for my character Officer Lockstock is ‘The Cop Song’ which has a lot of vitality.”

Nancy Williams plays Penelope Pennywise the rigid, harshly authoritarian manager of the urinal Public Amenity #9. “I’ve been singing both opera and musicals all over the world throughout my career,” said Williams, “I really appreciate the professionalism of the Cabrillo Stage staff and the talented actors and musicians that come here.” Willams’ first role for Cabrillo Stage was last summer as the widow Corney in the production of Oliver!

Tickets are available online. Box Office opens for the winter season Thursday, December 11. New Box Office days and hours are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 12 – 6 p.m. The Box Office is located on the Cabrillo College campus and tickets may also be obtained by calling 831.479.6154.

Cabrillo Stage is a non-profit, non-union professional summer stock musical theatre company dedicated to presenting full-scale Broadway musicals to the greater Monterey Bay Area. Under the artistic direction of Jon Nordgren, Cabrillo Stage produces a diversity of musical theatre works with the goal of educating, as well as giving audiences quality family entertainment.

Cabrillo Stage is committed to providing a nurturing, supportive, artistic environment that allows all of its artisans, professional and non-professional, the opportunity to create musicals with high quality production values.

Urinetown, The Musical runs Jan. 2-18. Visit cabrillostage.com for more information