Urinetown: A Piss-Perfect Production

By Jordan Bermudez, Staff Writer

[The cast of Urinetown. Photo credit: Matthew Tominaga]

This spring, the Moreau Performing Arts Department hosted a seven-performance run (including one support school performance) of a musical called “Urinetown.” The show attracted many people to watch the show, with its closing night being the largest audience in the past five years. This show was very enjoyable and worth the watch. It’s perfect in comedy and choreography, and very well-executed.

This show is a satire-comedy musical, set in a dystopian world, where there has been a mass water shortage, and the people, mainly poor, had to do private business in urinals, which are described in the show as “public amenities.” But, these amenities were controlled by a single company who has made large profits from it charging high fees for people to use them. This show centers on how the people attempt to pee for free, and start a revolution because of it.

The success of this spring’s production wasn’t achieved by a single person, as many students were also intrigued to try out for the show. Twenty-three in total were cast in the show, and fourteen worked as crew members.

During the show’s performances, a live band, featuring talented MCHS band players, kept the story going with instrumentals. During the show, many live effects were added to enhance the performance, like smoke behind the stage, trap doors, and a falling Mr. Cladwell. Let’s take a look into how this amazing production was prepared, and how our cast and crew made this masterpiece.

About two hours before a show, the cast and crew check in and prepare for the show, by memorizing lines, changing into their opening costumes, and rehearse their choreographed scenes. The directors would give their notes on the previous performances or rehearsals to the actors, in hopes for improvement. Meanwhile, the crew would sweep and mop the stage and its platform, and reset the props and blocks to the opening number. As it gets closer to show time, all the cast and crew are gathered together to hype each other up before each show. Once the crew calls “Places!” the cast has to be backstage for the show to begin, everyone heads off into the “wings,” the left and right sides of the stage covered in curtain. People also wish each other luck and do some last interactions, as they anticipate the start of the show.

The overture plays, and the show officially begins. The crew at the back of the house help control the flow of the show, which consists of three people to light up the stage, including Mark Laubach, Josh Yegge, and Leia Hope Villanueva, and another to turn up the actors’ mics, Shubh Sharma. Also back there is the Stage Manager, Mandee Iyer, who keeps a close eye on what happens, and lets crew know when to do things like change sets, bring props, or do something else urgent.

The stage crew are the busy bees at work, and have their stage time when they change scenes, trigger special effects, and check up on the cast in the wings. In this musical, there are three stage crew members, Saliah Bettencourt, Isabella Vazquez, and Jordan Bermudez, each taking care of business from either stage left or right. Keeping them in close contact with the stage manager, and cueing them for stage help are the assistant stage managers: Noah Rocheford, Anthony Cascone, and Abbey Boyle. They are major helpers with the production, and like the stage manager, keep things in control backstage to make it run smoothly. If there is any costume or wardrobe problems or any assistance that would be needed in the green room, Hawley Lowe would be there to help. She helps out with repairing broken costumes and props, assists in quick changes, and irons the wardrobes before the show.

After the show ends, the cast comes back one last time in small groups to bow to the stage. It starts off with the minor roles getting their time first, and escalates in significance until the two protagonists, Bobby Strong and Hope Cladwell, bow at center stage, and lead the rest of the cast into a company bow. Whilst the audience applauses them, they point below, outwards, and behind, to acknowledge the live orchestra, the lighting crew, and the stage crew, before taking one last bow as the curtains close. Just as the night is about to end for these hard workers, the cast change out of their costumes and the crew reset blocks and props for the next show. Lastly, the company exists from Art Room B, where they meet and greet their humble audience.

Here below are the quotes and comments from our beloved cast and crew based off their experience during the show:

“Just that… every year the theatre program gets better and better, and each production reflects that. I can’t wait to see what they put out in the future.” – Cruz Ferrera, Officer Lockstock (Class of ’26)

“I think the show was the most exciting I’ve ever done”- Prabhnek Singh, Officer Barrel (Class of ’29)

“I am so grateful for all the memories and experiences I’ve got from this show. The friendships I made with the cast are crew are amazing and I can’t wait to see what show we do next!” – Ivanka Menezes, Hope Cladwell (Class of ’27)

“It was amazing to work with my fellow cast mates and crew. It was really fun to perform with you guys and joke around back stage.” – Curtis Mendoza, Bobby Strong (Class of ’27)

“I’m very proud of the cast and crew because this production was very difficult but at the same time it was extremely fun. I’m content with all the connections I’ve made with everybody this semester and throughout the production. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for next year!” Ami Ruiz, Penelope Pennywise (Class of ’27)

“I had a lot of fun. I appreciate all the cast and crew for making such an amazing experience. Thank you.” Vy Nguyen, Ms. McQueen (Class of ’27)

“It was really fun.” Hawley Lowe, Wardrobe Manager (Class of ’28)

“I’d say it’s been more than amazing getting to know everyone…” Alexander Pimentel, Senator Fipp (Class of ’26)

“It’s a joy. It’s a joy.” Jasper Durie, Caldwell B. Cladwell (Class of ’27)

Urinetown, the Musical, has been a successful production in every way, creating memories both on and off the stage, that are long-lasting for both audiences, cast, and crew alike.