HIGHTSTOWN: High school students prepare for ‘Urinetown,’ a different kind of musical

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN – Theatergoers are invited to a satirical comedy musical about greedy corporations, politics, social themes and to join the revolt as the Hightstown High School presents its rendition of the Tony Award-winning “Urinetown” next week.
“There is a city that is suffering after a 20-year drought, water is regulated by a greedy corporation,” said choral music and drama teacher Tallen Olsen in an email on Tuesday. “The citizens are forced to pay to use the public bathroom facilities as there are no more privately owned toilets. The citizens revolt.”
Mr. Olsen said that “Urinetown“ is an critically acclaimed musical, winner of three Tony Awards, and is a PG-rated musical.
Performances will be Friday, March 18, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 19, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 20, at 2 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Tickets are $10. Students with student I.D. and senior citizens are $8. Children under 12 years of age are $6.
“This is not your typical musical,” said Mr. Olsen.” It is a piece of Absurd Theatre. The entire show is a satire on musical theatre and political and social themes.”
Guests need to know this before coming in, he added.
“It is my sincere belief that our students should experience as many different types of theatre as possible,” he said. “Since my arrival at Hightstown, we have done a Shakespearean work, a family and young child-friendly production, and now a selection of Absurd Theatre.”
Mr. Olsen said that his educational goal is that over the course of every student’s four years at HHS, they have the opportunity to perform in or experience and learn about the many different genres of theatre that make up the canon of world theatre.
“A show like ‘Urinetown’ also offers both performers and the audience a chance to explore their own attitudes and beliefs,” he said. “It isn’t the goal of theatre, necessarily, to change attitudes or beliefs but rather to open eyes and minds to possibilities. Please do not judge a book by its cover, or its bad title even, which happens to be a line in the show, without having first attending our production.”
There are 72 students participating in this year’s production, 41 of which are in the cast with the remainder of the students serving in the orchestra and on the crews. For the first time in many years, the orchestra is made up entirely of students for this show, with no paid professional performers. The set and costumes were designed, built, painted and created entirely by students.
School board member Pete Bussone said at Monday night’s board meeting that the students are excited about performing the show.
“Everybody has been working their tails off,” he said. “I thought the least we could do is make an appearance and show up and support them.”
“It’s one of the plays that won Tonys but the kids watch and enjoy it too,” said school board Vice President Paul Connolly.
Board President Alice Weisman said she is looking forward to the play.
“My daughter’s in the pit,” she said. “It’s great that the kids are having a blast preparing for it. It should be a lot of fun.”
Refreshments will be sold at intermission as well as tokens for the actors. Guests can also purchase HHS Drama Club spirit wear.