Urinetown: The Musical

ABOUT

Urinetown, The Musical is a satirical musical written in 2001, with music and lyrics by Marc Hollmann, and book and lyrics by Greg Kotis. The opening of the show was delayed by the 9/11 attacks, and the show became a metaphor for the horrors of war and highlighted the growing global divide between rich and poor. Urinetown, The Musical has won three Tony awards and countless other accolades, thus, one should not rely on it's title to sell tickets.

In this hilariously serious musical, where a terrible drought has outlawed private toilets and a public health act forbids public urination, a private company operates the town’s only public toilets. The "Urine Good Company" charges exorbitant rates for the privilege to do one’s private business and if the people cannot pay to pee, they are escorted to the mythical Urinetown by the quirky and bloodthirsty policemen. In the opening scene the character, Little Sally, questions the show’s premise, subject matter, and it's bad title, stating that “a bad title can kill a show pretty good?".

Urinetown, The Musical, has an amazing score, played by a live orchestra, brilliant songs and dance routines that will entertain and raise questions about the reality of climate change, privatization of state resources and even the musical genre itself. This show is directed by William le Cordeur, with musical direction by Carika de Swardt, and vocal coaching by Jaco Dippenaar and Johan Grobler. The cast consist of students from both Michaelhouse and St John's D.S.G.