With dramatic instrumentals and a stage fading from darkness to light, Highland theater welcomed everyone to Urinetown last week.
Through hilarious satire and catchy songs, cast and crew told a story of rebellion, hope, love, and freedom in a cruel, corrupt dystopian society.
A major water shortage caused by a 20-year drought has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. Every citizen must use public amenities controlled by a single evil company and CEO Caldwell B. Cladwell (Thomas Lambert) that benefits from charging everyone for use of the toilets.
Narrated by officers Lockstock (Leif Kious) and Barrel (Elijah Ekstein), Urinetown first introduces Penelope Pennywise (Grace Croft) and Bobby Strong (Leo Munoz Yarbough) as government workers responsible for making sure every citizen pays to use the facilities.
After Bobby Strong’s father rebels against the Urine Good Company (UGC), he is arrested and taken to Urinetown; never to be seen again.
In his grief, Bobby finds love and romance with Cladwell’s daughter Hope (Bella Gandy) who is oblivious to her father’s horrible treatment of the citizens.
Hope tells Bobby to listen to his heart, leading to Bobby’s decision to convince the population to rebel against Cladwell and the UGC, making the public toilets free.
When Cladwell hears about this, he sends Officer Lockstock and Officer Barrel to reason with Bobby.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t work out the way Cladwell planned, and Bobby kidnaps Hope as blackmail.
Cladwell invites Bobby to a meeting, telling him that if Hope is brought back alive and well, then he will make all toilets free to the public.
Bobby eagerly accepts the deal, only for Cladwell to betray him once again, and has Bobby arrested and sent to Urinetown.
After Bobby’s untimely end, Hope realizes how cruel her father is and decides to avenge her love and take Bobby’s place as the leader of the rebellion.
The rebellion is successful; Cladwell and the officers are removed from power, and Hope takes over the UGC as the new and beloved CEO.
Bobby Strong is remembered and celebrated as life for the citizens seems perfect…until an end that no one saw coming rears its ugly head.
By breaking the fourth wall and having very interesting conversations with poor girl Little Sally (Naomi Cova), narrator and Officer Lockstock uses witty lines, hilarious gestures, and comedic timing to captivate the audience during a musical full of satire.
Through special effects, catchy songs, hilarious comedy, and perfected acting, Highland theater brings a story full of tragic, forbidden, familial, and even unexpected love to light.
