Fall mainstage production of ‘Urinetown, The Musical’ offers comedy with a message

Fall Mainstage: “Urinetown, The Musical”
Dates and times: Nov. 9-10 and 16-17 at 8 p.m., and on Nov. 18 at 3 p.m.
Location: Umble Center
Cost: Tickets cost $10 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors, and can be purchased in advance through the Welcome Center by calling (574) 535-7566, emailing welcomecenter@goshen.edu or online at www.goshen.edu/tickets. Tickets can also be purchased at the Umble Center Box Office one hour before the show.


What if in the near future the world has nearly exhausted the earth’s water supply? What if our 21st century Goshen, Indiana, lifestyle isn’t as sustainable as we think it is? The Goshen College fall mainstage “Urinetown, The Musical” offers a unique “what if” story.

This musical comedy, with music by Mark Hollmann, lyrics by Hollmann and Greg Kotis, and a book by Kotis, both makes fun of musical comedy and makes its audience think about “what if.” It will be performed Nov. 9-10 and 16-17 at 8 p.m., and on Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. Professor of Theater Doug Liechty Caskey is the director, Professor of Music Scott Hochstetler is the music director and Assistant Professor of Music Christopher Fashun is the conductor.

“Urinetown is certainly a musical that pokes fun at musicals; in other words, it pokes fun at itself, and that’s part of the entertainment value for the audience,” Caskey said. “It’s theater with a social conscience. At the same time, this production allows us to step out of our own comfort zone by tackling a musical theater show complete with edgy humor, intense choreography, and some first year student performers and designers in the mix.”

From a musical perspective, Hochstetler added, “There is a great deal of musical playfulness; poking fun, and, at the same time, paying homage to a long, rich history of musical theatre.”

The cast includes: Jay Mast, Anna Nafziger, Brett Conrad, Joel Kawira, Lauren Treiber, Emily Grimes, Jacob Greaser, Ben Ganger, Blake Shetler, Rachel Mast, Peter Meyer Reimer, Abby Bush, Stefan Baumgartner, Martin Flowers, Miranda Earnhart, Rhianna Cockrell, Melody Marshall, Sam Carlson, Paul Zehr, Stefan Baumgartner, Hannah Beachy, Christina Hofer, Cara Paden, Adrienne Schmucker, and Paul Zehr.

Umble Center is accessible to wheelchairs and people with other physical limitations. American Sign Language interpretation will be offered during the March 25 performance of the play.

Tickets cost $10 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors, and can be purchased in advance through the Welcome Center by calling (574) 535-7566, emailing welcomecenter@goshen.edu or online at www.goshen.edu/tickets. Tickets can also be purchased at the Umble Center Box Office one hour before the show.