Urinetown The Musical Runs Nov. 14-17 in the Little Theater

Arcadia University Theater will perform "Urinetown The Musical" from Thursday, Nov. 14, to Sunday, Nov. 17, in the Spruance Art Center Little Theater. The production is directed by Adjunct Professor of Theater Arts Kevin Glaccum, with music by Mark Hollman and lyrics by Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis.

"Urinetown" takes place in the midst of a 20-year drought that caused a severe water shortage, leading to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. To use the restroom, city residents must use public amenities that are all overseen by a company that charges admission for their restrooms. The story follows the citizens as they begin to form a revolution to fight for their basic needs.

"This year with so many first-year students in the Theater department we wanted to do a show with a large cast so as many people as possible could be involved in the show," explained Glaccum. "I had seen the original Broadway production 20 years ago and I had the cast album so it was a show I knew pretty well and enjoyed a great deal. I also knew it offered some really great parts for our students."

With a musical of this scale, the cast and crew made additional considerations while planning the layout of the production.

"I could easily have cast more people, but we don't have the dressing room space for any more actors than we have on stage with Urinetown," Glaccum said. "Also, the stage doesn't have much wing space, so trying to do a show with multiple locations means we always have to get inventive with our set designs, and I think this one takes our set design to a new level!"

Junior Acting major Zara Peters, who plays Soupy Sue and has other ensemble roles in this weekend's production, said, "This production is so important to me. It's my first time being in a musical since high school, and it's a really special experience for me since all my roommates and most of my close friends are also involved in the show. I think this is my favorite show that I have ever done.

"I highly recommend this show for both theatre and non-theatregoers," continued Peters. "Urinetown features incredible music and moments, while simultaneously breaking the fourth wall and making fun of itself along with 'bad musicals', while still being an incredibly impressive show. This show features some incredibly talented actors and I would advise going simply to be awed by them."

"It's a musical that pokes fun at some of the conceits and tropes that are often found in musical theater," added Glaccum. "The songs are great (and the cast sounds amazing!) and it is laugh-out-loud funny. What more could you ask for?"

Tickets can be purchased in advance online here. All tickets are "pay what you can."