The Theatre Department will present Urinetown: The Musical! Directed by Dr. Jayna Gearhart Fitzsimmons, shows begin on Thursday, Nov. 20, and run through Sunday, Nov. 23 all taking place in the Edith Mortenson Center Theatre.
A 3-time Tony Award winner, Urinetown: The Musical is a satire that creates suspense while using comedic relief to engage the audience. In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage caused by a 20-year drought has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides that he's had enough and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom!
We're so excited to have this funny, timely, meta-musical as part of our Main Stage season this year. Urinetown features a cast of unique and memorable characters, wonderful music and dancing, and plenty of surprises! The cast and design team have embraced this story with such enthusiasm, talent and heart, and I can't wait for audiences to join us for a great night of theatre at Augustana, said Gearhart Fitzsimmons, assistant professor of theatre.
Urinetown: The Musical! at Augustana is choreographed by Magdalen Eberle with music direction by Nolan Wipf, a vocal music teacher at Memorial Middle School in Sioux Falls. The musical satire includes a cast of more than 30 Augustana students and staff, including Avery Hemminger 28, of Byron, Minnesota.
"Working on the musical Urinetown has been such an incredible experience. The show itself is incredibly clever and a lot of fun, but also very thought provoking and provides a lot of insight into the current state of our world, said Hemminger, who plays Hope Cladwell. I think what really makes our production stand out is the fact that we arent trying to recreate another production in any way. From choreography to scenic design, everyone has truly brought something unique and special to this production.
I get to do a little bit of everything. I get to dance, sing and portray a variety of complex ideas and emotions. It been so fun to dive into a character who learns and grows so much throughout the show. I love getting to put myself in the shoes of a character and tell their story onstage time and time again. Above all, this show has me feeling extremely grateful for all the amazing people involved in theater at Augie and for the opportunity to express myself through this beautiful art form."
Tickets for Urinetown: The Musical! are $16 for adults, $12 for seniors and military, and $5 for non-Augustana students. Admission is free for K-12 students and anyone with a valid Augustana ID. For showtimes and to purchase tickets, visit augie.edu/TheatreTickets.
The full list of cast members includes:
- T.J. Ashes 27, of Pineridge, South Dakota
- Aden Alvine 27, of Sioux Falls
- Amelia Barr 27, of Brandon, South Dakota
- Bailey Bergjord 29, of Flandreau, South Dakota
- Heidi Blecher 28, of Gardner, Kansas
- Mikayla Browning 28, of Warner, South Dakota
- Ben Burbach 26, of Vermillion, South Dakota
- Veilia Christiansen 29, of Sioux Falls
- Hudson Connelly 28, of Sioux Falls
- Sam Dixon 27, of Brandon, South Dakota
- Suki Ford 26, of Vermillion, South Dakota
- Izzy Hagen 29, of Brandon, South Dakota
- Avery Hemminger 28, of Byron, Minnesota
- Jaxon Johnson 26, of Fairmont, Minnesota
- Katelyn Kivela 26, of Spencer, Iowa
- Mya Lynk 28, of Dassel, Minnesota
- Chrissy Mailloux 27, of Brandon, South Dakota
- Kei Meister 28, of Sioux City, Iowa
- Liv Moeller 27, of Mankato, Minnesota
- Noah Norwine 27, of Harrisburg, South Dakota
- Mikennah Oleson 26, of Hill City, South Dakota
- Josie Paul 28, of Fargo, North Dakota
- Vaughn Schneider 27, of Sioux Falls
- Brooke Scullen 26, of Andover, Minnesota
- Claire Steffensen 28, of Pierre, South Dakota
- Preston Spaans 29, of Sioux Falls
- Henry Thronson 28, of Pierre, South Dakota
- Isaac Tudor 29, of Dell Rapids, South Dakota
- Patrick Valentine 27, of Pierre, South Dakota
- Satchel Workman 28, of Sioux Falls
- Dan Workman, associate professor of theatre
For more information about the Augustana Theatre, visit augie.edu/theatre.