Music and Lyrics by Mark Hollmann
Book and Lyrics by Greg Kotis
URINETOWN was produced on Broadway in September, 2001 by the Araca Group and Dodger Theatricals in association with TheaterDreams, Inc., and Lauren Mitchell
Directed by Danny Loftus George, 2022-2023 Roe Green Visiting Director
Kent State University’s School of Theatre and Dance is continuing its 2022-2023 season with the production of "Urinetown" running Feb. 24 through March 5 in E. Turner Stump Theatre in the Center for the Performing Arts.
"Urinetown" is an award-winning musical satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility and the privatization of natural resources. Hilariously funny and touchingly honest, "Urinetown" provides a fresh perspective on one of America's greatest art forms, theatre.
In this city, a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. Among the people, a hero decides that he's had enough and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom!
Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, "Urinetown" is a satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny. Praised for reinvigorating the very notion of what a musical could be, "Urinetown" catapults the "comedic romp" into the new millennium with its outrageous perspective, wickedly modern wit and sustained ability to produce gales of unbridled laughter.
Danny Loftus George is our 2022-2023 Roe Green Visiting Director and Madi Pelle as assistant director. Jennifer Korecki, associate professor of musical theatre, is the music director. Professor of theater, Yuko Kurahashi, is the dramaturgy advisor.
The production team also includes costume design by Abbie Hagen and Jenna Jamison, lighting design by David Bruns, sound design by Bethy Winters, props supervision by Frankie Teuber, and technical direction by John Rawlings. Scenic design by Andrea Ball, assistant professor of scenic design, and Claire Vogt. Tom Humes, assistant professor of stage management, and Alexander Baxter are co-stage managers. Karl Erdmann is the production manager and Tony Hardin is the director of the School of Theatre and Dance and producer.
URINETOWN is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
About the Roe Green Visiting Director Series
The Roe Green Visiting Director Series was established in 2003 by Kent State alumna and Cleveland-based philanthropist Roe Green. An initial $25,000 donation was repeated annually until 2018 when Ms. Green endowed the Series with a $2.2 million gift allowing it to continue in perpetuity. Through the program, the School of Theatre and Dance invites a guest professional director each year to work in residency with students and direct one of the School's Main Stage productions. The School of Theatre and Dance is fortunate to be able to offer this opportunity to its students. Now in its 19th year, the Roe Green Visiting Director Series continues to bring professional directors to Kent State University.
Danny Loftus George
Danny Loftus George is a FORBES 30 Under 30 Finalist in Education. He is the Founder of The Growing Studio International, The A1 Conference, The LINK Program, and the President of The Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts, a new college conservatory opening in Norwalk, CT with a focus on career opportunity and development. Danny developed and hosted the Broadway Q&A with Playbill. Recent Directing credits include Songs for a New World at The Gateway Playhouse and Into the Depp at The SoNo Collection. He is a proud Board Member of The Higher Vibrations Collective. Danny’s greatest achievement is his incredible son Aspen. Follow the journey on Instagram: @bobanny11
Ricky Loftus George
Ricky is a choreographer originally from London now based in NYC, Choreography and performance credits include, “Oklahoma”, “Kinky Boots”, “Cinderella”, “Chicago”, “Priscilla Queen Of The Desert”, Ricky was also a top ten finalist on Britain’s Got Talent. Alongside performing Ricky is also the Co-Founder of the A1 conference and The Link Program. Special thanks to Terri, Jen, Danny and Aspen for your love and support always! Instagram @therickylg
Mark Hollmann
Mark Hollmann received the Tony Award®, the National Broadway Theatre Award, and the Obie Award for his score to "Urinetown the Musical", which had its start in the 1999 New York International Fringe Festival. It won Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, and Lucille Lortel Awards for best musical in addition to garnering 10 Tony Award® nominations. Other shows as composer/lyricist include Yeast Nation (2011 New York International Fringe Festival, Perseverance Theatre, American Theatre Company, and Ray of Light Theatre), Bigfoot and Other Lost Souls (Atlantic Stage and Perseverance Theatre), "The Man in the White Suit" (New York Stage and Film), "The Girl, the Grouch, and the Goat " (University Theatre, U. of Kansas), "Alchemist the Musical" (Seattle Fringe Festival), "Jack the Chipper " (Greenview Arts Center, Chicago), "Kabooooom!" (University Theater, U. of Chicago), "I Think I Can and Deal with It!" (Berkshire Theatre Festival), and "Fare for All" (Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden, NYC). Actor and/or co-writer for the Cardiff Giant Theater (Chicago) productions "The Rack","Theater of Funny", "The Mercy Ripper", "LBJFKKK", "Love Me", "All Eight Die", and "After Taste", the last of which he also directed. He has served on the Tony Nominating Committee, serves on the Council of the Dramatists Guild of America.
Greg Kotis
Greg Kotis wrote the book and co-wrote the lyrics for "Urinetown the Musical", for which he won two Tony Awards in 2002. His new play, "Pig Farm", opened at The Roundabout Theatre in New York City and at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego in 2006. Currently, he is developing two new musicals with Mark Hollmann: "Yeast Nation (the triumph of life)" and "The Man in the White Suit". Other plays include "Eat the Taste" (at New York's Barrow Street Theatre), "Jobey and Katherine, Baron von Siebenburg Melts Through the Floorboards", and "Give the People What They Want".
PERFORMANCES
All performances will take place in E. Turner Stump Theatre, located in the Center for the Performing Arts (1325 Theatre Drive, Kent).
Friday, Feb. 24, 2023
7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023
7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023
2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 2, 2023
7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 3, 2023
7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 4, 2023
7:30 pm.
Sunday, March 5, 2023
2:00 p.m.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets to "Urinetown" can be purchased through the Performing Arts Box Office by phone at 330-672-2787.
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Media Contact:
Jen Crabtree, jcrabt13@kent.edu