From left are Valerie Weitz, Emilio Slaughter, Jimmy Schwartzman, Antonia Gaviria-Rozo, Gigi Katuala, Max Wolpoff, Kathryn Kunkle, Madeline Slatter, Madeline Schupak, Matt Yinger, Melissa Horowitz, Taira Dolan, Lauren Matcha and Zoey Maggid. Photo by Deb Stevens.
Potomac — Water is one or our most important commodities — and many communities already know and fear the painful sanctions that governments put into place when droughts take place. But what if every drop of water had to be preserved and the U.S. government required all citizens to excrete only in a government-sanctioned urinal? However, if they did not follow procedure, they would be banished to Urinetown?
“Urinetown,” a musical comedy set in the draconian future, tells the story of urinal custodian Bobby Strong who leads an uprising against the government water conservation policies that have subjugated the masses. Along the way, he falls in love with the daughter of the evil Urine Good Company, which owns all the urinals in town, and learns that life and justice are not as simple as he presumed.
“Urinetown” was written by Greg Kotis who developed his theme after traveling through Europe as a student on a budget. He encountered a "pay for use" public toilet and began writing his play soon after, partnering with Mark Hollmann. “Urinetown” debuted at the New York International Fringe Festival and then was produced Off-Broadway in 2001. The musical then went on to Broadway where it claimed 10 Tony Award nominations and won three, including "Best Original Score."
Winston Churchill High School Drama will present “Urinetown” Friday, April 4, Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6. The Friday night performance will take place at 7 p.m. and the
Saturday performances are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday's performance is at 2 p.m. All performances are at the Gertrude G. Bish Auditorium, 11300 Gainsborough Road, Potomac. Tickets are $15 at the door. The play is appropriate for ages 10 and up.
The play will feature Adam Settlage as Bobby Strong, Natalie Hwang as Hope Cladwell, Matt Yinger as Caldwell B. Caldwell and Emile Ravenet as Officer Lockstock.
According to WCHS Theater Director Scott Courlander, "‘Urinetown’ is a hilarious political satire as well a silly irreverent romp through a post-apocalyptic landscape."