Westfield High School Theater to Perform Wickedly Funny 'Urinetown: the Musical'

Westfield High School performers the wickedly funny, Tony Award-winning musical comedy “Urinetown: the Musical,” on Thursday, March 12; Friday, March 13; and Saturday March 14.

Director Daniel Devlin said the show “is, above all, a satire and a comedy” with some “seriously silly” characters, but also one that touches on important topics such as greed, corruption and mankind’s relationship with the environment.

Madeline Hudelson is Penelope Pennywise, the jaded warden of the public toilets who sings, “If you gotta go, you gotta go through me!” The show’s narrators are tough-talking Officer Lockstock (Michael Poyntz) and a sassy street urchin named Little Sally (Lauren Echausse).

Echausse, a senior, said audiences should not be put off by the show’s title. “The show is laugh-out-loud funny. I would recommend bringing people of all ages!” Echausse said she loves that the cast members have had the chance to take stock Broadway characters and “make them ridiculous in our own personal style.”

Tickets for the Westfield High School Theatre Department “Urinetown” are on sale now. Click here to purchase tickets online. All shows are at 7:30 p.m.

>> Related: Westfield High School Newspaper Named One of the Best In the Country

A multiple Tony Award winner, “Urinetown” imagines a place where private toilets have been banned, and citizens must pay to use public facilities run by a greedy corporation called UGC – or else face severe punishment. That is, until a hero named Bobby Strong (Julian Mone) decides to lead a rebellion.

The show, a send-up of the big Broadway musical, has laughs, romance, murder, show-stopping songs, big dance numbers, and a variety of musical styles that range from gospel to jazz. Despite the show’s indelicate premise, “Urinetown” is appropriate for audiences of all ages.

Frank Guerriero plays Caldwell B. Cladwell, the greedy mogul who runs UGC. Madeleine Rosenthal plays his daughter, Hope, who falls in love with Bobby and joins his revolution.

Westfield High School has won multiple awards for its innovative theatrical productions.

In addition to the on-stage talent, WHS students play a big role behind the scenes in “Urinetown” as well, working on the show’s costumes, makeup, props, lighting and sound. Students also helped design and build the show’s unique two-level set, an “urban dystopia” that includes an on-stage manhole cover that characters use to enter and exit the stage.

Tickets for “Urinetown” are $13 each. Advance purchases are recommended, because Westfield High School’s spring musicals often sell out. Any tickets not sold in advance will be available at the door. All tickets are reserved seating.

All performances will be held in the auditorium of Westfield High School, located at 550 Dorian Road.

Information and photo courtesy of Angela Ko

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