Lifestyle, News

Urinetown_POST

While recent storms have transformed the hills surrounding Santa Cruz into a lush, inviting green, up and down the state, local water districts continue to push for mandatory water use restrictions as California grapples with the effects of a years-long drought.

In this climate, Cabrillo Stage presents, Urinetown, The Musical, a satirical tale of water consumption and conservation in a time of extreme drought, showing now at the Cabrillo Crocker Theater in Aptos.

Set in the future, a terrible water shortage has prompted the government to ban private toilets in the city of Urinetown so citizens have to use public, pay-per-use amenities owned by the Urine Good Company, a malevolent, “company-town” type of corporation.

Heroic Bobby Strong leads the fight against this practice in a Tony Award-winning musical comedy that spoofs some of the best and well-known musical comedies of the last century, including Guys & Dolls, Three Penny Opera, West Side Story and Les Miserables.

“The music is an incredible element all on its own,” says Andrew Ceglio, Director of Urinetown, The Musical.

“It tackles a wide range of different music and musical styles such as: R&B, rock & roll, gospel, opera and musical theater. Michael Mcguisin, our musical director adds an exciting element to the music with his incredible abilities. His focus, knowledge, dedication and appreciation for all of these different styles of music allows this show to move fluidly and grants us moments to tug on your heart strings and to keep your toes tapping with enjoyment.”

Veteran performer with the Cabrillo Stage and first time on the production roster, choreographer Ashley Rae Little provides an entertaining element to the production with inventive and clever choreography, adds Ceglio.

“It is a show that is unlike anything Santa Cruz County has ever seen before,” says Ceglio. “It is a hilarious musical comedy with poignant and thought provoking issues attached.”

Urinetown explores what can happen to society when resources become scarce, it also shows the influence and control of big business and government,” says actor Versai Knight, who plays Little Sally.

“When people are being repressed they often only focus on rebelling and neglect to create solutions to the underlying issues that originally fueled the repression. Urinetown comedically (sic) demonstrates this human pattern with the rebellion of the poor against the Urine Good Company and how they are affected by not having enough water to sustain life.”

Urinetown, The Musical is the last production in a phenomenal season that has brought Broadway hits Altar Boyz, Putting it Together, and Oliver! to the Cabrillo Stage.

Looking back, Artistic Director Jon Nordgren shares some of his highlights of the season.

“Every show is like a child to me; I love them all differently,” he says.

For Putting it Together it was “finally” being able to program a Soundheim revue and seeing standing ovations every night because of the show’s amazing talent and during Alter Boys, it was watching the last performance and “laughing harder” than he had at any of their other shows.

And Oliver! Well, that was special.

“One of the best productions we’ve attempted, and the best production of Oliver! I’ve ever seen or been a part of,” says Nordgren. “Working with 67 actors, especially the children. Andrew Ceglio’s performance as Fagin was beyond category. Conducting the 22 piece professional orchestra is always a joy to me.”

Once Urinetown, The Musical is wrapped up, Nordgren and his team will turn their sights to the summer, when The Cabrillo Stage will present two crowd-pleasing shows: Mary Poppins and Mid-Life Crisis, The Musical.


Cabrillo Stage presents Urinetown, The Musical at the Cabrillo Crocker Theater in Aptos. Showing now until January 18. Tickets available online or call 479-6154 for more information.