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Kayla Mason – Urinetown

By Kayla Mason
South Broward High School

Important: This article was last updated on March 24, 2008. Please call ahead to confirm hours, prices, dates and other information.

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The three-time Tony Award winning Broadway musical Urinetown takes place in a time of a terrible drought, which leads The Urine Good Company to force people to "pay for the privilege to pee." After Bobby Strong's father is arrested for illegally relieving himself, it is too much for Bobby and he rebels with the poorest residents of the town to take back their freedom and let people pee for free!

In American Heritage's performance of Urinetown, Little Sally asks the question, "What kind of musical is this?" The answer: a show full of wit, clever, sharp music and lyrics, and a plot that is so absurd it puts the title to shame. Every single member of the cast was so strong it is almost unfair to single anyone out. With a double cast of Broadway musical characters, Heritage uses multiple characters to relate the plot and show off their talents in an easy and bold approach.

Charles South portrayed the lovable and heroic Bobby Strong with relentless energy and enthusiasm. In the numbers Run, Freedom, Run and Act One Finale, South made the show worthwhile with his hilarious physical and emotional expressions and gestures. Opposite South, was the phenomenal Brielle Rassler, who played the role of the heartwarming Hope Cladwell. The pair worked together so well that by the end of Follow Your Heart it became almost impossible not to fall in love with both their characters and voices.

David Berry as the dynamic Officer Lockstock and Chloe Golden as Little Sally were absolutely incredible by consistently taking to the stage the true humor and meaning of Urinetown. Their What is Urinetown? added spice to the stage and in turn left an unforgettable impression. Max Mellman as Mr.Cladwell and Nicole Kinzel as Penelope Pennywise had side-splitting performances and were a delight to watch.

Each cop, poor person and company member brought a new definition to the word "ensemble" especially in the number We're Not Sorry. With each of their Broadway characters in mind, each actor brought color, vigor and life to the stage. Michael Kushner as Tiny Tom/Simba and Micayla Mancuso as both Billy Boy Bill/Lucy from Charlie Brown were wonderful to watch.

Though having every member of the cast doubled as a Broadway character was a very brilliant concept, it did leave some uncertainty and at times became a distraction from the plot. Despite sound difficulties and long set changes, the cast and crew made up for it in dedication, talent and astounding scenery.

American Heritage's production of Urinetown really proved that "if it's peace you're after, Urinetown is the rapture."