Starkville Community Theatre (SCT) continues its 39th season with the Spruill Property Management-sponsored production of Greg Kotis and Mark Hollman’s “Urinetown: The Musical.” Nov. 10-13 and 15-19 at Starkville’s Playhouse on Main.
The “musical satire by example,” as characterized by SCT veteran director Thomas La Foe (2013’s “Par for the Corpse” by Jack Sharkey; 2015’s “One Slight Hitch” by Lewis Black), features a large ensemble cast of SCT regulars and newcomers — Petra Banks, Eden Bedsaul, Nick Bell, John Brocato, Rylee Burchfield, Michele Crescenzo, Emma Crumpton, Sean Dyess, Marie-Julie Etua, Madeline Golden, Lily Hudson, Dani Janus, Noah Knox, Kris Lee, Barnes Locke, Sean Mackin, Luke McFatrich, Daniel Nicholson, Paul Ruff, Derrell Staten and Karen Thead. The production team is filled out by assistant director Stacy Clark, musical director Joe Evans, choreographer Jonette Shurden and accompanist Haley Harper.
“The cast is much larger for this show than our usual season shows, and it includes many fresh faces,” said La Foe. “The work that Joe, Jonette and Haley have put into the singing, dancing and music is also going to make this show one to remember for a long time. I am incredibly lucky to have them and Stacy on my team. Everyone has been wonderful to work with. They bring so much energy to the show, and it really comes across onstage.”
Water shortage woes
In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage resulting from a 20-year drought has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. Public amenities are regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity’s most basic needs. One young hero decides he’s had enough and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom.
Winner of three Tony Awards, “Urinetown: The Musical” satirizes the legal system, capitalism, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics and musical theater itself. The boisterous musical is a side-splitting send-up of greed, love and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold.
“Ever since I saw this show in New York I have wanted us to do it at SCT,” said La Foe. “The set could fit on our stage, we could find the actors to cast it, and I would get to laugh my head off for two weeks of performances.”
How to go
The musical will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10-12 and 15-19, and at 2 p.m. Nov. 13, at the Playhouse on Main, 108 E. Main St., in downtown Starkville.
Tickets are $15 ($10 for students), available by contacting the SCT box office at 662-323-6855 Monday through Friday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
For more information about SCT, visit sct-online.org.
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