The Tony Award-winning musical satire “Urinetown” is the final production in Missouri Western State University’s 2014-2015 Theatre Season. It will be presented April 2-12 in Missouri Western’s Potter Hall. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on April 2, 3, 4, 10 and 11, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 12. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for Missouri Western faculty and staff, $8 for students and free for current Missouri Western students with a valid ID. Tickets may be purchased online at mwsutix.com, by phone at 816-271-4452, or in person at the Potter Hall Box Office.
“Urinetown” takes place in an undisclosed city, where a serious drought has inflicted society with vast poverty and a ban on private toilets. All toilets have become the property of a malevolent corporation called Urine Good Company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity’s most basic needs. A hero decides he’s had enough, and plans a revolution to lead the people to freedom. Along the way, “Urinetown” satirizes the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics and musical theatre itself.
“It’s very tongue-in-cheek,” said Tee Quillin, assistant professor of theatre and the show’s director. “It never takes itself seriously for a moment.”
The Broadway production of “Urinetown” was nominated for nine Tony Awards in 2002 and won three: Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score and Best Direction of a Musical.
“Urinetown” is presented by Missouri Western’s Department of Theatre, Cinema and Dance in conjunction with the Department of Music.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.