Campus Connection

Enjoy the silly, catchy music in a town 'where it’s a privilege to pee.'

The UWL Department of Theatre Arts will present the award-winning "Urinetown: The Musical" by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis. Winner of three Tony Awards, three Outer Critics Circle Awards, two Lucille Lortel Awards and two Obie Awards, Urinetown is a musical satire of the government, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics and musical theatre itself.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. March 1-2 and 7-9 at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Sundays March 3 and 10 in the Toland Theatre, Center for the Arts, 333 N. 16th St., La Crosse.

Greeted by the show’s self-aware narrators—the seasoned Officer Lockstock and the youthful street urchin Little Sally—the audience learns of a town plagued by debilitating water shortages and economic hardships. What little water is left is portioned and taxed by Urine Good Company, headed by the seemingly suave, but conniving CEO Caldwell B. Cladwell.

Unfortunately, for the ever-growing poverty-stricken populace, this means that bathrooms are now privately-owned and tightly controlled with stringent punishments for those who “pee” without “payin’.” The people have accepted this treatment in fear of being sent to the terrible place of “Urinetown.”

Sick of the mistreatment and regulation, hero Bobby Strong rises and plans a revolution to lead him and his friends to freedom. But will he be able to free his people and follow his heart? Will the down-trodden citizens of the city be able to rise above and beat down the powers that oppress them? Will justice trump inequality?

This Tony Award-winning musical will reveal why it is a privilege to pee in Urinetown!

Tickets are on sale online at www.uwlax.edu/theatre. Phone ticket reservations begin at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, at 608.785.8522 or the Box Office, in the lobby of the Center for the Arts. Tickets are $6 for UWL students, $18 for senior citizens and other students, and $20 for others.

If you go:

WHO:  UW-La Crosse Department of Theatre Arts

WHAT: Urinetown: The Musical

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. March 1-2 & 7-9; 2 p.m. March 3 & 10

WHERE:  Toland Theater, UWL Center for the Arts, 333 N. 16th St.

COST:  $6 for UWL students, $18 for senior citizens and other students, and $20 for others. Tickets may be purchased online at www.uwlax.edu/theatre-arts. In person/phone reservations begin Monday, Feb. 25, at 608.785.8522.  Box office hours are 1-4:30 Monday through Friday and one hour prior to each performance.

CAST: Colm Alba, Alec Berchem,Gabe Burdette, Alexis Cimoch, Sarah Coppenbarger, Lauren Dochnahl, Tess Douty, Violet Englebert, Issac Eugster, Emily Farebrother, Shane Flaningam, Cullen Gaffy, Lauren Hanson, Emma Henry, Nick Holland-Hayes, Corrine Kessler, Matthew Klemm, Sarah Lambert, Grant Latus, Evan Medd, Michael Meyers, Willie Pearson, Megan Roddy, Gabe Ross, Stephen Schams, Delaney Scudella, Maddie Stoffel,  Leah Williams

PRODUCTION TEAM:  Mary Leonard (Director), Megan Gunderson (Stage Manager), Mandy Kolbe (Scenic Designer), Sarah Herkert (Lighting Designer), Ben Golden (Sound Designer), Megan Morey (Technical Director), Joe Anderson (Costume/Makeup Designer)