Every spring the Park Players produce a musical that packs the house. This year we’re happy to announce we’ll be bringing Urinetown, by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, to the stage!
Urinetown‘s quirky subject matter and sarcastic anti-musical commentary made this musical awkward to get off the ground. The creators eventually found a place for it in the New York International Fringe Festival. The tongue-in-cheek play went on to take the theater world by storm, debuting on Broadway in 2001 and going on to secure a Tony Award that year!
Plan now for this unconventional romp through a delightful mix of musical genres, on stage at the Rosedale Park Community House this spring! Performance dates are March 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31.
Prefer to be ON the stage instead of in the audience?
Come audition! Everyone’s welcome to be part of our friendly group! There’s probably a part just perfect for you! Just bring a song to sing and a willingness to have a great time! Rehearsals are usually Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, and Sunday afternoons.
Auditions location: Rosedale Park Community House, 18445 Scarsdale, Detroit, MI 48223
Auditions time: Wednesday, January 4, 2012. 7-10 pm; Sunday, January 8, 2012. 1-4 pm
Show summary:
In a grim, Gotham-like city, a 20-year drought has occurred. As a result, the
government has banned private toiletries and the citizens must use pay toilets
regulated by a monopolistic company, the Urine Good Company, which charges
exorbitant prices. Bobby Strong, the assistant custodian at the poorest urinal in
town, decides enough is enough. With the help of Hope Cladwell, the daughter
of the CEO of the Urine Good Company, Bobby ends up leading a rebellion
which frees the citizens. Lively satirical musical comedy.
Cast of Characters: (Note: characters may be double cast)
Bobby Strong: Male Lead role
Age: 17 – 30 Vocal Range: Tenor
The “Hero” of the show and the assistant custodian at the poorest urinal in town. Is the Leader of the poor through the rebellion and is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in. Falls in love with Hope. Strong acting – singing ability and comic timing. Medium dance skills required.
Hope Cladwell: Female Lead role
Age: 18 – 30. Vocal range: Soprano
Cladwell’s good-hearted daughter. Fresh out of University and about to work at her father’s company. A naïve girl who believes there is good in everyone. Falls in love with Bobby. Strong acting – singing ability and comic timing. Medium dance skills required.
Caldwell B. Cladwell: Male Lead role
Age: 40 – 70 Vocal Range: Baritone or Bass
CEO of Urine Good Company. Greedy and vicious villain of the show. Strong acting – singing ability and comic timing. Minimal dance required.
Officer Lockstock: Male Supporting role
Age: 25 – 65 Vocal Range: Baritone
Narrator of the show and Leader of the Police. A figure of authority. Strong acting – singing ability and excellent comic timing. Minimal dance skills required.
Little Sally: Female Supporting role
Age: 12 – 25 Vocal Range: Mezzo Soprano A poor street urchin who is also a narrator of the show. Preference that she be small in stature compared to rest of the cast. Needs to look young (15 – 20) in stage age. Strong acting – singing ability and comic timing. Medium dance skills required.
Penelope Pennywise: Female Supporting role
Age: 25 – 65 Vocal Range: Alto/Belter
Can be younger in real age but will be made up to look older. The proprietor of Public Amenity Number 9, the poorest urinal in town. A Black sheep, she betters her public standing by leaching onto Cladwell. She is always searching to find a quick buck and is ruthless in her attack. A gutsy female character. Strong acting – singing ability and comic timing. Medium dance skills preferable.
Little Becky Two-Shoes: Female supporting role
Age: 18-40 Vocal Range: Soprano
A pregnant woman. She is poor and frequents Public Amenity Number 9. Strong acting – singing ability and comic timing. Medium dance skills preferable.
Officer Barrel: Male supporting role
Age: 18 – 65 Vocal Range: Baritone
Officer Lockstock’s right hand man. He is his partner in all things criminal. Good acting – singing ability and comic timing. Minimal dance skills required.
Hot Blades Harry: Male supporting role
Age: Open Vocal Range: Baritone
A dangerous and unpredictable man. He is poor and frequents Public Amenity Number 9. Strong acting – singing ability and comic timing. Medium dance skills preferable.
Josephine Strong: Female minor role
Age: 40 – 60 Vocal Range: Mezzo Soprano
Bobby’s strong-willed mother. She is a poor woman who frequents Public Amenity Number 9. Strong acting – singing ability and comic timing. Medium dance skills preferable.
Joseph ‘Old Man’ Strong : Male minor role
Age: 40 – 70 Vocal Range: Tenor
Bobby’s rebellious father. Bobby gets all his strength from his father and they have a close relationship. Strong acting, medium singing skills and comic timing. Minimal dance required.
Soupy Sue: Female minor role
Age: Open Vocal Range: Alto/belter
A poor woman in the gang who frequents Public Amenity Number 9. Strong acting – singing ability and comic timing. Medium dance skills preferable.
Tiny Tom: Male minor role
Age: Open Vocal Range: Baritone
A confused man / boy. He is poor and frequents Public Amenity Number 9. Good acting – singing ability and comic timing. Medium dance skills preferable.
Robby The Stockfish: Male minor role
Age: Open Vocal Range: Baritone
A poor rebel who frequents Public Amenity Number 9. Good acting – singing ability and comic timing. Medium dance skills preferable.
Billy Boy Bill: Male minor role
Age: Open Vocal Range: Tenor
A poor rebel who frequents Public Amenity Number 9. Good acting – singing ability and comic timing. Medium dance skills preferable.
Dr. Billeaux: Male minor role
Age: 30 – 50 Vocal Range: Bass/Baritone
A scientist for Urine Good Company. Typical “crazy” stereotypical scientist. Good acting – singing ability and comic timing. Some dance skills required
Senator Fipp: Male Minor role
Age: Open Vocal Range: Bass
A corrupt Senator who hides all his crimes through politics. A creepy character who seems to lurk in all the wrong places. Strong acting, Minimal singing skills and comic timing. Minimal dance required.
Mr. McQueen: Male minor role
Age: Open Vocal Range: Tenor
Cladwell’s head lackey. He is always following in Cladwell’s footsteps. Too weak too step out of the shadow. Strong acting, Minimal singing skills and comic timing. Minimal dance required.
Cladwell’s Secretary: Female minor role
Age: 17 – 50 Vocal Range: Soprano
Caldwell B Cladwell’s Head Secretary. Prim and proper in nature and look. Straight – laced. Good acting – singing ability and comic timing. Some dance skills required.
Mrs Millenium
Age: 20 – 50 Vocal Range: Soprano
One of Cladwell’s lessor lackeys. Office worker who aspires to be Cladwell’s Head Secretary. Good acting – singing ability and comic timing. Some dance skills required.
The Rebels/Police/ UGC Executives: Chorus roles
Ages: Open Vocal Range: Various
Will be featured as Poor Rebels, Police, and/or UGC Executives. Ensemble support base. Few to no speaking lines. Some acting – singing ability and comic timing. Some dance skills required.
Thanks Rebecca for putting the Urinetown information on the blog. We’re hoping for lots of people to audition in January.
Marcia