Second Weekend for USU Production

The play with the unusual title, Urinetown, completes its run this week in the Morgan Theatre of the Chase Fine Arts Center on the Utah State University campus. The play’s title might evoke a level of doubt or wonderment of how a play with this title could finds its way onto a stage in Cache Valle. Director and Theatre Arts Department Head Colin Johnson reassures skeptical audience members.

“In answering questions that are sure to arise, and to allay any fears due to the nature of the musical’s title, I want to stress the play’s award-winning history and cultural validity,” Johnson said. “It was the recipient of nine major Broadway theater awards and two Off-Broadway awards.”

 

In fact, the musical has been produced by several sister institutions in the state, Johnson said. Additionally, in 2002, Urinetown received three Tony Awards, including Best Musical Score and Best Book of a Musical. It also took home three Outer Critics Circle Awards in 2002, which included the Outstanding Broadway Musical.

 

The production incorporates a satirical examination of the relationship between economics and conservation.

 

“Its message is a tongue-in-cheek illustration of principles of economical exploitation when a diminishing resource (in this case, water) is withheld from an underprivileged class for a certain purpose. Its classic ‘what if’ circumstances, a component of all good storytelling, resolve with justice prevailing and evil-doers punished,” Johnson said. “In that sense, it is a highly moral work that promotes dialogue of what justice is and how it prevails or does not prevail.”

 

Ticket prices range from $8 to $12, and are available by calling (435) 797-3046.

 

 

 

Contact: Jeremy Gordon (435) 797-1500
Source: Theatre Arts Department