Urinetown The Musical: A Privilege to Pee!

The Regals Musical Society (NSW) is producing the award winning satirical musical Urinetown from May 17 – 25. After premiering Off Broadway in May 2001, the musical transferred to Broadway, where it played for two and a half years, winning three Tony Awards including Best Book and Best Score.

Still unable to perform in Rockdale Town Hall, the Regals will be presenting Urinetown in Bexley RSL. “We’re very fortunate and grateful for the support Bexley RSL is giving us,” Peter Sampson (Regals President), and we’re very excited to be performing Urinetown in this venue.”

The show might be a little different to what the RSL members expect from musical theatre.

In an attempt to regulate water consumption, the use of private toilets becomes outlawed. The citizenry must use public, pay-per-use amenities owned and operated by Urine Good Company, a malevolent corporation run by the corrupt Caldwell B. Cladwell.

Tracey Rasmussen has choreographed Urinetown. “Tracey has done an amazing job with the choreography,” explains director, Julian Batchelor. “She has really been able to capture the humour and spirit of the show through her dances.”

But it’s not just the dances that will leave audiences wanting more. The witty, intelligent script and the complicated, yet catchy, score of Urinetown promise a great night’s entertainment. 

“It’s a great show that has something for everyone,” says Batchelor. Indeed one of the things that Urinetown is most famous for is its irreverent mocking of musical theatre classics and The Regals production will be no different. “We have a fair few references to musical theatre, both subtle and blatantly obvious.”

But the humour and fun of the show stretches well beyond the parody of musical theatre. “For me, it’s the characters that make Urinetown hilarious,” explains Batchelor. “Each cast member has been given the opportunity to put their own twists and humour into their characters. Every rehearsal the cast are playing and developing new gags, and its adding a nice dimension and dynamic to the show.”

Andrew Fabris (Huck Finn, Big River ­– SMT) plays Bobby Strong, while newcomer Jamieson Raabe plays Hope Cladwell. They are supported by James Swain, James Jonathan, Keely Soulsby,  David Valks, Taylor Thompson and Veronica Saville.

Urinetown

Music: Mark Hollmann. Lyrics: Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis. Book: Greg Kotis.

Director / Designer: Julian Batchelor. Choreographer: Tracey Rasmussen. Musical Director: Peter Sampson.

From May 17, 2013 at Bexley RSL

For more information visit www.theregals.com.au

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