Urinetown 4 03Gilbert Theater’s newest musical “Urinetown” is set to open June 4 and run through June 13, bringing some clean toilet humor to the public. Written by Greg Kotis, the musical originally premiered on Broadway in 2001, and it satirizes various social constructs.

“One big-wig has taken over everything in the story and is monitoring the water use and making huge amounts of money doing so,” said director Robyne Parrish. “People literally have to pay to pee under the threat that they will be sent away to this place called Urinetown, if they disobey.”

The storyline is set in a dystopia where a water shortage leads to governmental ban of private toilets and how one man, Bobby Strong, stands up against the unjust system.

“The question is, ‘what is Urinetown?’ Is it a jail, is it an island somewhere, is it a work camp, what is it and you find that out as the story progresses,” Parrish said.

The lead of the story rallies the town people to speak up and make change in the town, actor Quentin King said.

“The main character meets and falls in love with the villain’s daughter, Hope, so there is a little bit of the star-crossed lover’s element,” actor Jacquelyn Kessler said.

The musical puts a satirical spin on the legal system, and questions capitalism, corporations, corporate mismanagement and bureaucracy.

“It has all the things you want to see in the musical, it’s got love, heartbreak, death and fantastic characters, so any big Broadway musical lover is going to love this show,” Parrish said. “Huge built-in numbers and great dance numbers, sweet ballads, it just has a little bit of everything for everyone.”

Urinetown also mocks Broadway musical shows like “The Threepenny Opera” and “Les Misérables.”

“It’s going to talk about social constructs so it will be a lot of poor versus rich for a lot of the scenes so hopefully the clothes will reflect that. One group will be dressed posh and the other very raggedy Ann,” Kessler said.

Artistic Director of the Gilbert Lawrence Carlisle encourages potential audiences to not shy away from the production because of the title.

“People should not be turned down by it being called “Urinetown,’ it’s good family fun and there’s something for everyone,” Carlisle said. “The opening night is sold out already.”

For more information about the show and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.gilberttheater.com/index.php

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