Peeing isn’t exactly a popular topic for the stage. But the Mask and Bauble Dramatic Society’s production of Mark Hollmann’s Tony Award-winning Urinetown excitedly tackles this scatalogical issue alongside themes including the pursuit of dreams, corporate greed, class conflict, and the consequences of one’s actions.
“Urinetown is a musical satire about freedom, justice, urine, and towns,” director Sean Craig (COL ‘16) said. The musical takes place in a drought-stricken dystopian city controlled by the ruthless Urine Good Company, which controls the means of waste production by forcing citizens to pay to access public toilets in an effort to conserve water (private toilets having long-since become cost prohibitive). Those who refuse are banished to a penal colony, the eponymous Urinetown. The action revolves around a young populist hero, Bobby Strong, as he leads a rebellion against the maniacal CEO of UGC, Caldwell B. Cladwell. The urine-soaked story permits plenty of hysterics, making its poignant social commentary all the more shocking.
The play’s production was overseen by both Craig and producer Emily Grau (COL ‘16). According to Grau, producing Urinetown was a particularly ambitious undertaking because the musical aspects of the show required a plethora of moving parts throughout the play. Still, Grau said the effort was well worth it. “The opportunity to watch this immensely talented group take a concept and make it into the living, breathing, hilarious show that it is today has been incredibly rewarding,” she said.
Craig concurred. “The process has been so unbelievably fulfilling,” he said. “It has been amazing to watch the cast find their characters and grow together. And our designers and production staff have put so much time, effort, and talent into everything they’ve done. It’s magic to see all of our ideas turn into something real.”
Despite the air of professionalism its productions exude, both Grau and Craig expressed that Mask and Bauble behaves more like a family. “I really found my home at Georgetown with M&B,” Grau said. “I’m happiest working in Poulton [Hall, located outside the front gates], surrounded by this incredible group of people, even when that means we’re painting set pieces at 2 a.m.”
Craig echoed Grau’s sentiment. “I was cast in their spring musical my freshmen year and fell in love with theater instantly,” he wrote in an email to the Voice. “Since then I have worked on a number of M&B shows and have made some of my absolute best friends along the way.”
Don’t be put off by the outlandishness of Urinetown’s title, premise, or fixation on bodily secretions. The musical is a wildly fun and insightful ride that seeks to make its audience think as much as it seeks to make them laugh. The zany yet passionate storyline only heightens the experience. Just remember to check your “Privilege to Pee.”
Urinetown
Poulton Hall Stage III
April 9-11, 15-18 8 p.m.
April 12, 2 p.m.
performingarts.georgetown.edu
Photo: Caitlin Duckewitz
