A musical satire inspired by Greg Kotis’ book about his youthful trip to Europe and his first encounter with a pay toilet – with music by Mark Hollman and lyrics by Hollman and Kotis – URINETOWN premiered at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2001, shortly followed by off-Broadway and Broadway productions covering 2001 to 2004. URINETOWN garnered three Tony Awards for best book, best original score, and best direction, along with multiple nominations and awards from other groups. A national tour followed in 2003, and URINETOWN has become an international favorite. With a cast of 21 and 15 original songs, URINETOWN has continued to poke fun at corporate greed, political corruption, and the absurdities of musical theater for over 20 years. In 2025, the Kentwood Players proudly present URINETOWN.
Samantha Paladini, Lindsay Palmer, Caitlin Callahan, and Zach Troutman – Photo by Gloria Ramiez Plunkett
The time is somewhere in the future, and the place is Urinetown. Following a 20-year drought, it became obvious that private toilets were not sustainable. Thus, now there are only public toilets (called public amenities) controlled by a megacorporation called Urine Good Company (UGC), whose CEO, Caldwell B. Cladwell (Richard Osborn), rules with an iron fist. His gorgeous daughter Hope (Allegra Greenawalt) has just returned by college and is being groomed to take over someday. But trouble is brewing at Public Amenity #9, the poorest and filthiest toilet in Urinetown – especially since UGC is set to announce an enormous fee hike. PA #9 is run by a relentlessly tough cookie named Penelope Pennywise (Elizabeth-Bouton-Summerer) and her assistant Bobby Strong (Zach Troutman). When Bobby’s dad “disappears” after peeing in town when he doesn’t have the price of a toilet stop, everything comes to a head. The time is ripe for rebellion, and idealistic Bobby triggers the “Pee for Free” movement which soon catches on all across Urinetown. When Bobby meets Hope, sparks will surely fly – and the initially peaceful rebellion may explode into violence.
Zach Troutman and Allegra Greenwalt – Photo by Gloria Ramirez Plunkett
URINETOWN is a big musical – not only sporting a huge cast and multiple musical numbers – but also because of the many scenes and thought-provoking ideas which emerge. Directors Jeremy Palmer and Alison Boole do a yeoman’s job of pulling the many-legged centipede into shape. They are aided in no small part of an exuberant, enthusiastic, and talented cast with powerful voices and some clever choreographed moves. Clearly, the Kentwood Players will go the extra mile to present this complex and fascinating musical. Kudos to the creative and production staff, who again demonstrate that community theater can tackle the toughest shows and come out on top.
Kelly Grisalfi and Nick Unquera – Photo by Gloria Ramirez Plunkett
URINETOWN runs through June 7, 2025, with performances at 8 p.m. on Fridays, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. The Kentwood Players perform at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue, Westchester, CA 90045. Tickets are $30 ($4 discount for seniors, students, and military). For information and reservations, call 310-645-5156 or email theater.
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