Urinetown
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Play Suggestions
Forum Discription: Need help finding a show that's right for your theater? Ask here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3860
Printed Date: 11/26/24 at 5:12pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Urinetown
Posted By: TheActingTechie
Subject: Urinetown
Date Posted: 3/02/09 at 7:14pm
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I'm trying to convince my (High School) director to do Urinetown next year. However she refuses, insisting it is too small of a cast size. Has anyone done it or seen it done with a large cast before? If so, did it work? What would yous say the maximum workable cast size is?
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Replies:
Posted By: greenphoenix
Date Posted: 3/03/09 at 12:50am
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I must tell you that I saw this show on Broadway and HATED it. I understand, though, that it is strictly a matter of personal taste. I just thought the acting was horribly overdone and strange.
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Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 3/03/09 at 7:39am
I'm ok with the show, and am in at this time (last weekend coming up) We have a cast of about 20. My problem is what your audinece appeal/approval will be in a high school setting. I direct for my high school and would not put it up here..
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Marty W
"Till next we trod the boards.."
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Posted By: KEB54
Date Posted: 3/03/09 at 9:04am
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I was in a production at the CT level. We probably had a cast of 15 or so. However, "the chorus" (major parts in this play) covered many roles, for instance both "street people" and "Cadwell Executives". If you wanted to separate them out and expand the numbers some, you could get a cast of 40.
HOWEVER! As mentioned, this is not what I would consider HS material. My CT took a chance with it. I'd say were heard from 50% of the audience, "I thought the production was well done, but I HATED the play!" 50% is a big number. We got away with it but I don't know about HS. Your HS director may have other reasons she doesn't want to do the show other than cast size.
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KEB
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Posted By: TheActingTechie
Date Posted: 3/03/09 at 10:35am
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It's really not that offensive of a show. It was done a few years ago at a local professional house and was very, very well received.
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Posted By: KEB54
Date Posted: 3/03/09 at 10:45am
There are very different levels of "acceptable material" between Professional, CT, and HS. Expectations are very different. Parents and school boards have a different view of what their kids do compared to what professionals do on stage. A person that loved the professional production may be very much against their teenager performing it on the HS stage.
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KEB
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Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 3/03/09 at 11:23am
We, at the CT level, are getting very mixed reviews... (we are in our third and final week) Most of our "theater types" love it and love the edge of the show.. As for patrons, there have been a number of folks who said they really enjoyed it, but a like number who said, that while the singing and dancing and staging were excellent, they didnt care for the show. A University theater instructor (who does a lot of CT) said. That was the stupidest show I've ever seen, but you did well with it. One husband and wife were split, she hated it, he loved it... And I agree with Keb, while not overtly offensive, it has its moments (at least persons who don't normally consider bowel/bladder movments as part of thier regular "polite" conversation... Where as for a High School (And yes, I know the MTI pages shows dozens of them doing it) H.S. shows always engender some form of controversy. Do Godspell and you crossed church and state, Do Wizard of OZ and you are promoting witchcraft.. or the perenial, you didnt give my kid the lead... So. why would you want to add more for something you KNOW someone is going to take offence to... Profesional, fine, folks choose whether they want to come see (and most know in advance) CT, well, depending on your regular audience base, you roll the dice and take your chances.. But High School? No way.. don't need the grief. IMHO
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Marty W
"Till next we trod the boards.."
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Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 3/03/09 at 12:32pm
IMHO There are lots of good shows out there, why go out of your way for the shock value. I am in the same show as Marty. He's Lockstock and I'm Cladwell. We have put on a great show and love the effort we have all put in but I still hate the show. It looks like it will pay for itself here, but it has not been the sell-out that the bandwagon people had predicted.
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Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse
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Posted By: jaytee060
Date Posted: 3/03/09 at 1:13pm
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Sitting here ...... laughing so hard I can hardly catch my breath.
................tsk, tsk, tsk.
"OH GOD, WHAT HAVE I DONE ? REMEMBER MEEEEEE !!!!
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"REMEMBER ME IN LIGHT"
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Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 3/03/09 at 2:14pm
You haven't "done" anything but put on a great performance.. the only thing in question is the base product, not the results... And definitly in question as to whether it is a right choice for a high school.. Especially one where the teacher involved already has qualms..
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Marty W
"Till next we trod the boards.."
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Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 3/03/09 at 2:14pm
P.s. to all the rest, JayTee is our Director
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Marty W
"Till next we trod the boards.."
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