Locals part of cast & crew of Urinetown, UW-Waukesha's Summer Musical

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The University of Wisconsin-Waukesha announces the cast of the summer musical comedy Urinetown by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, which opens Friday, June 15, 2011. This production is presented through Music Theatre International.

Don't let the title scare you off – “Urinetown, the Musical" is wacky and satirical, and also the newest Broadway musical ever to be produced at UW-Waukesha. It opened on Broadway in September 2001, winning three Tony awards for book, score, and direction. "Urinetown" depicts a world wracked by ecological disaster and corporate greed. In a Gotham-like city, a depletion of the earth's water supply has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The privilege to pee is regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. A hero arises to lead the people to freedom, but at what cost?

Performances of Urinetown will be Friday and Saturday, July 15-16 at 7:30 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, July 22-23 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, July 24 at 2 p.m.; all in the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, located in the Fine Arts Center on campus at 1500 N. University Dr., Waukesha. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens, and free with a UW-Waukesha student ID. They will be sold at the door, and the box office opens an hour before each performance. All seating is general admission.

Associate Professor of Communication & Theatre Arts Steven Decker, Waukesha, is directing and set/lighting designing the play. Professional dancer/choreographer Shell M. Benjamin, Shorewood, who has a list of Broadway and off-Broadway credits, is choreographing the show. Assistant Professor of Music Nancy Van Brunt, Waukesha and Professor of Music Craig Hurst, Waukesha, will assist with the musical direction and conducting of the production.

Performers include:

Ryan Matthew Lamb, Waukesha, Officer Lockstock

Amelia Kamholz, Slinger, as Penelope Pennywise

Colin Pope, Slinger, as Bobby Strong

Katie Katschke, Franklin, as Little Sally

Lindsey Paquette, Waukesha, Dr. Billeaux/Cop

Wendy Rightler, Kenosha, as Mz. McQueen/Cop/Josephine Strong

Elizabeth Heinrich, Wauwatosa, as Senator Fipp/Cop

Jordan Burac, Mukwonago, as Officer Barrel

Kristin Kasper, Cudahy, as Hope Cladwell

Ron Gulotta, Waukesha, as Old Man Strong

Katie Jasinski, Waukesha, as Soupy Sue

Kira Renkas, Waukesha, as Salt Shaker Sally

Megan Schachner, Waukesha, as Dishwater Wanda

Elizabeth O'Hara Waukesha, as Raggedy Rhonda

Deborah Skidmore, Waukesha, as Little Becky Two Shoes

Connor O'Hara, Waukesha, as Bobby the Stockfish

Carl Liden, Waukesha, as Caldwell B. Cladwell

Joseph Woolfolk, Waukesha, as Hot Blades Harry

Zach Ihn, Wales, as Billy Boy Bill

The Band includes:

Jennifer Van Brunt, Shorewood, Piano

Larry Sheets, Waukesha, soprano and alto saxophone; clarinet and bass clarinet

Tom Patterson, Beaver Dam, trombone and euphonium

Mike Grassman, Wauwatosa, percussion

Chris Adams, Wauwatosa, bass

Crew includes:

Megan Plicka, West Allis, Stage Manager

AC Marheine, Waukesha, Assistant Stage Manager

Josh Dieball, Waukesha, Tech Crew

Kelsey Herrick, Waukesha, Tech Assistant

Alex Marshall, Waukesha, Sound

Dave Walters, Waukesha, Sound

Candace Decker, Waukesha, Costume Design

The UW-Waukesha Lunt-Fontanne Ensemble presents a wide variety of productions, including a summer children’s theatre production of The Short Tree and the Bird Who Could Not Sing set for August 8-12. As a college theatre program, education is the primary goal, and shows fall in all genres.