Question: What do you get when you mix late stage capitalism, a broadway musical and an incredibly talented group of young actors? Answer: “Urinetown,” Colorado Mesa University’s (CMU) winter musical.
Opening on Feb. 29, “Urinetown” will be running for eight shows through March 9 in Robinson Theatre. Each evening show will start at 7:30 p.m., with two matinee shows on March 2 and March 9 at 2:00 p.m.
This show, which first opened on Broadway in Sept. of 2001, was written by Greg Kotis and Mark Hollman. It is set in the not-too-distant future where a water shortage has caused a corporate takeover and control of toilet usage where citizens are forced to pay for the ability to use the restroom.
Although seemingly a little crass, this show is deceptively funny and meta. It is a commentary on the state of the world, as well as on musicals as a genre. A few different characters poke fun at tropes featured heavily in musicals thoughout the course of the show.
“This musical is one of the most enjoyable shows I’ve ever seen in the theatre,” said director and theatre department head Mo LaMee. “Audiences love it because it’s such sneaky fun, the music is catchy and the lyrics witty and sly.”
Sophomore acting and directing and design and technology major Hannah Feeney and last semester’s “Dracula” star jumps straight over from a crazed, insane asylum fanatic to the female lead in a love story.
Opposite Feeney, as Bobby, the hero of the story, is senior musical theatre major Donovan Kriskowski, who is no stranger to playing romantic leads. He last appeared on stage at CMU last semester in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as Lysander.
Feeney and Kriskowski are joined by senior musical theatre majors Isa Sanchez (“35MM” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”), Emily Skinner (“Guys & Dolls”), Catie Spann (“Guys & Dolls”) and Ian Rowzee (“Spongebob,” “Guys & Dolls,” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”).
Other notable names on this roster of students include senior acting and directing major Austin Jensen (“Dracula”), junior acting and directing major Grace Richardson (“Dracula”), sophomore musical theatre major Huri Iniguez (“Guys & Dolls”) and sophomore musical theatre major Caymie Crone (“35 MM”).
Costumes are being designed by a team, led by Associate Professor of Theatre Arts – Costume Design Jill Van Brussel. She is being aided by Feeney and sophomore design technology major Isabelle Basham.
The lighting and set designs are being led by Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts Katherine Stepanek, who is a new addition to the theatre department this year. She previously designed the tallest set CMU had ever utilized, which was featured in “Dracula” last fall. Stepanek is being aided by senior design and technology major Ethan Thomas and sophomore Riley Chang.
This set will be utilizing a rotating piece, to help aid in scene transitions, as well as provide another space for actors to interact with during performances. Many of the more recent sets have tended to remain static, although a select few such as “Spongebob” and “Guys & Dolls” had moving set pieces.
All theatre shows are free for students and faculty, and begin at 7:30 pm. “Urinetown” opens on February 29 and will close on March 9.
Coming up next is “Three Sisters,” which will begin rehearsals after “Urinetown” closes at the beginning of March. “Three Sisters” runs from April 18 – 27.
