On the weekend of November 17 and 18, the Concord Academy Performing Arts department staged performances of the Fall Mainstage, Urinetown. Urinetown, a 2001 Tony-winning musical, centers around a town in which the right to use the bathroom has become regulated by seemingly corrupt capitalist tyrants. The result is a musical in which poor citizens rise up in revolt and plenty of drama ensues.
With direction from Megan Schy Gleeson, choreography from Amy Spencer, and musical direction from Michael Bennett, Urinetown was an impressive showing of the Performing Art Department’s abilities. The sets and costumes added to the impressive production, as scene changes occurred seamlessly with help from the tech crew, organized by Production Manager Jessica Cloutier Plasse and stage manager Elliot White ’19.
In CA’s rendition of Urinetown, seniors Andrew Cekala ’18 and Jordie Hurley ’18 played an unsatisfied custodian and the rich daughter of the town’s leading businessman (Henry Patton ’21), respectively. Both veterans of many past CA performances, they came together to sing many of the show’s most impressive numbers and, in a new turn for the two, also played out a romantic relationship onstage.
Sasha Rechler ’18 also acted in the show, in the role of Ms. Pennywise, the woman in charge of collecting public restroom fees. Her performance of “It’s a Privilege to Pee” was one of the show’s highlights. Patton, like Rechler, provided comic relief to a politically messaged musical, channeling the voice and mannerisms of a staunch, thoughtless capitalist.
The rest of the show’s company was equally as superb, as they acted, sang, and danced through both acts. The energy brought to the piece by every member of the cast was evident to the completely sold-out Performing Arts Center audience.
With the Fall Mainstage now over, the theatre department is beginning its work on the Winter show, a commedia dell’arte-style show called Scapin. Scapin will be directed by Shelley Bolman, a theatre department faculty member, and performances will be held in February.