Urinetown

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..

Credits

Music by Mark Hollman

Lyrics by Mark Hollman & Greg Kotis

Book by Greg Kotis

Urinetown

Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

PERFORMANCE SEASON

May 5 – 27, 2023

MEET OUR

creative team

Hayley Gervais

Director.

Hayley Gervais is no stranger to Phoenix Ensemble, and is thrilled to be back directing the comedic, social and political satire of Urinetown. She is so excited to bring a unique twist to this production that is perfect for the Tin Shed.

Hayley has been immersed in the performing arts for as long as she can remember, beginning as a dancer from the age of 3. Hayley’s directorial credits include Legally Blonde: The Musical (Sunnybank Theatre Group, 2022), It Shoulda Been You (Assistant Director, Phoenix Ensemble, 2022), Mamma Mia! and Beauty & The Beast (Assistant Director, Queensland Musical Theatre, 2021). Further theatre credits include Fiddler on the Roof, The Addams Family, as well as taking on the role of Makeup Designer for the critically acclaimed Cats (Queensland Musical Theatre, 2019)

Benjamin Richards

Musical Director.

Ben is multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and teacher. He has been the music director for a number of productions including Little Shop of Horrors and Disenchanted. As well, he has been in the pit on various instruments for shows ranging from A Chorus Line to Next 2 Normal to Sweeney Todd. By day, Ben is a drums, strings, and piano teacher at a few locations around southeast Queensland. He also engages in a variety of other roles including lighting, sound, and production.

Jaime O’Donoghue

Choreographer.

Jaime bloomed when she went to her first Ballet class at age three. From Ballet she went on to accumulate into her ever growing repertoire many genres of dance such as Jazz, Tap, Contemporary and Hip Hop. When she was cast as The Narrator in her Year 7 Musical ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’ Jaime developed a true passion for Musical Theatre.

Jaime has choreographed ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘Curtains’ at Ormiston College as well as ‘Charlie and Chocolate Factory’ and ‘School of Rock’ at Phoenix Ensemble. She has performed roles in ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ (Ensemble), ‘Grease’ (Johnny Casino/Rizzo Understudy) and ‘Hairspray’ (Ensemble). She also played lead roles in ‘The Boyfriend’ (Hortense), ‘Beauty and The Beast’ (Belle/Babette), ‘Legally Blonde the Musical’ (Serena), ‘Rock of Ages (Sherrie), ‘Heathers’ (Veronica/New Wave Girl) and ‘Anything Goes’ (Reno Sweeney).

Urinetown holds a special place in Jaime’s heart as she has previously played

the ever so special role of Billy Boy Bill (I’m Not Sorry!) in a production of Urinetown in 2016. Jaime is beyond excited to be back at Phoenix Ensemble and it is a “privilege” to work with this fantastic creative team.

MEET OUR

cast & crew

Bobby Strong Isaac Tibbs
Hope Cladwell Lauren Clark
Officer Lockstock Lachlan Clark
Little Sally Abby Page
Penelope Pennywise Zoe Costello
Caldwell B. Cladwell Caleb Holman
Little Becky Two Shoes & Bobby Strong Cover Emma Erdis
Hot Blades Harry Jackson Poole
Officer Barrel Harley Roy
Senator Fipp Jo Burnett 
McQueen Courtney Austin
Joseph “Old Man” Strong & Millenium Ren Gerry
Soupy Sue & Cladwell’s Secretary Maegan Weir
Josephine “Old Ma” Strong Debbie Taylor
Tiny Tom Delilah Bennett
Robby The Stockfish Angelina Mustafay
Billy Boy Bill Grace Clarke
Little Becky Two Shoes Cover Jaime O’Donoghue

 

Director Hayley Gervais
Musical Director Benjamin Richards
Choreographer Jaime O’Donoghue
Stage Manager Maddy Bosanko
Lighting Design Maddy Bosanko
Set Design Breanna Gear
Set Construction Breanna Gear & Andrew Bennett
Programme Design TBC
Photography TBC