Overview
Synopsis
In the not-so-distant future, a terrible water shortage and 20-year drought has led to a government ban on private toilets and a proliferation of paid public toilets, owned and operated by a single megalomaniac company: the Urine Good Company. If the poor don’t obey the strict laws prohibiting free urination, they’ll be sent to the dreaded and mysterious “Urinetown.” After too long under the heel of the malevolent Caldwell B. Cladwell, the poor stage a revolt, led by a brave young hero, fighting tooth and nail for the freedom to pee “wherever you like, whenever you like, for as long as you like, and with whomever you like.” A brilliant satire modeled off the plays of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, Urinetown is a wickedly funny, fast-paced, and surprisingly intelligent comedic romp.
Show Information
- Book
- Greg Kotis
- Music
- Mark Hollmann
- Lyrics
- Greg Kotis , Mark Hollmann
- Conceived By
- Greg Kotis
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2001
- Genres
- Comedy, Satire
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- The near future, after a 20 year drought
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen Characters
Context
The inspiration for Urinetown came from book writer Greg Kotis as he was traveling through Europe and encountered pay-per-use toilets. He joined with composer and lyricist Mark Hollmann to create a satirical musical about a dystopian future in which everyone must pay to use the bathroom. Urinetown debuted at the New York International Fringe Festival and was quickly picked up for an Off-Broadway run at the American Theater for Actors from May 6 - June 25, 2001. The show then transferred to
to read the context for Urinetown and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
At Amenity #9, the poorest, filthiest urinal in town, Officer Lockstock, a policeman, greets the audience and explains the terrible predicament of the residents of Urinetown. Penelope Pennywise, the proprietor of the dirtiest urinal, and her custodial assistant, Bobby Strong, discuss Old So-and-So, who has recently been carted off to Urinetown. As Lockstock continues his monologue, Little Sally, a precocious young girl, enters and warns Lockstock about the dangers of too much
to read the plot for Urinetown and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Baritone |
Songs
Act One
- Overture – Orchestra
- Too Much Exposition – Lockstock and Company
- Urinetown – Full Company
- It's a Privilege to Pee – Pennywise and the Poor
- It's a Privilege to Pee (Lockstock's Reprise) - Lockstock and the Poor
- Mr Cladwell – Cladwell, Hope, Mr. McQueen, and the Staff of UGC
- Cop Song – Lockstock, Barrel, and Cops
- Follow Your Heart – Hope and Bobby
- Look at the Sky – Bobby and the Poor
- Don't Be the Bunny – Cladwell and the Staff of UGC
- Act One Finale – Bobby, Cladwell, Hope, and Company
Act Two
- What is Urinetown? – Little Becky Two Shoes, Hot Blades Harry, Cladwell, Bobby, Little Sally, Lockstock, and the Poor
- Snuff That Girl – Hot Blades Harry, Little Becky Two Shoes, and the Poor
- Run, Freedom, Run! – Bobby and the Poor
- Follow Your Heart (Reprise) – Hope
- Why did I Listen to that Man? – Pennywise, Fipp, Lockstock, Barrel, Hope and Bobby
- Tell Her I Love Her – Little Sally, Bobby, Soupy Sue, Tiny Tom, and Josephine
- We're Not Sorry – Little Sally, Hot Blades Harry, Josephine, Soupy Sue, and Company
- I'm Not Sorry (Reprise) - Cladwell and Pennywise
- I See a River – Hope, Little Becky Two Shoes, Josephine, and Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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