Irreverent Musical URINETOWN Comes to Cabaret at The Merc, 8/20-30

Presented by The Barn Stage Company, Cabaret at The Merc's Summer Series returns in August with the irreverent and award-winning musical URINETOWN. The show runs Thursday-Sunday for two weekends at The Truax Building in Old Town Temecula. This 2002 Tony Award winning comedy satirizes the legal system, social irresponsibility, populism, and corporate mismanagement. URINETOWN will be directed by J. Scott Lapp, with Musical Direction by Taylor Peckham and choreography by Chelsea Nicole.

One of the most uproariously funny musicals in recent years, URINETOWN is a hilarious tale of greed, corruption, love, and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. In a Gotham-like city (not too different than the one we live in today), a terrible water shortage (sound familiar?), caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets (Hey...It Could Happen!). The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides he's had enough, and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom!

URINETOWN is a satirical piece with music by Mark Hollmann, lyrics by Hollmann and Greg Kotis, and a book by Kotis. It satirizes the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement and municipal politics. The show also parodies musicals such as West Side Story and LES MISERABLES, and the Broadway musical itself as a form. It opened on Broadway on Sept. 20, 2001.

"URINETOWN is a smart, quirky satire that makes you question the government's authority over your life. At a time when we're learning just how much Big Brother may be watching, this ridiculous tale of warning - that might just make you laugh so hard you have an 'accident' - is just what we need," says Artistic Director J. Scott Lapp.

The show is performed by an all-star-cast from all over Southern California. Michael Mittman, graduate of NYU's Tisch School for the arts joins the cast as Bobby Strong. He has performed at The Guthrie, The Ordway and the Helen Hayes Theater. In the role of Hope Cladwell, is Rachel King (Bombalurina in Cats at The Norris, Sandy in Grease at the Welk & the Regional Premiere of Big Fish at Musical Theatre West). John Campbell plays Cladwell (Juan Peron in Evita!, Gerard Carriere in Phantom and Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden). Local favorite Paul Kehler takes on the role of Officer Lockstock (Javert in Les Miserables with Theater Royale, John Wilkes Booth in Assassins and Gaston in Beauty and The Beast). Wyn Wilson joins the company in the role of Penelope Pennywise (Noises off, Big & Little Edie Beale in Grey Gardens). Angela Griswold, from Orange County plays Little Sally (Wendla in Spring Awakening, Kate Monster in Avenue Q and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde). The rest of the cast includes Shaina Knox, Luke Jacobs, Karin Gittins, Devin Collins, Bethany Slomka, Travis Lyon, Jonathan Sangster, Brennen Winspear, Cory Finch and Corky Loupe.

IF YOU GO:

RUN DATES | TIMES: Preview at 8 p.m. AUG. 20. Opens on AUG. 21. Through AUG. 30. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 pm & 8 pm on Saturday and 3 pm on Sundays.
LOCATION: The Truax Building, 41923 Second Street, Temecula, CA. 92590.
TICKETS: $30. Can be purchased by visiting www.TheBarnStageCompany.com or www.TemeculaTheater.org or by calling the Old Town Community Theater Box Office at 1-866-653-8696.

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