The Eastern Illinois University Department of Theatre Arts will open its season with "Urinetown: The Musical," an irreverently humorous satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny.
"Urinetown" will be presented in The Theatre of the Doudna Fine Arts Building at 7 p.m. Oct. 15, 16, 18 and 19, as well as 2 p.m. Oct. 17.
Produced in collaboration with the Department of Music and directed by new theatre arts faculty member Jeffrey Tangeman, the production features musical direction by music faculty member Jay Ivey and choreography by Charleston native Allison Fischer.
"Urinetown" tells a hilarious tale of greed, corruption, love and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. 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 he's had enough, and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom.
"Urinetown" was inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Music and lyrics were written by Illinois native Mark Hollman, with Greg Kotis writing the book and lyrics.
Tickets are $12 for the general public, $10 for EIU employees and senior citizens, and $5 for students. Tickets may be purchased in person at Doudna Fine Arts Center Box Office, by telephone at 217-581-3110, or online at http://www.doudnatix.com.
The Doudna Fine Arts Center is a division of the EIU College of Arts and Humanities. For more information on the facility and scheduled events, please see http://www.eiu.edu/doudna.
Booth House
Eastern Illinois University
600 Lincoln Ave.
Charleston, IL 61920
217-581-7400
jdreinhart@eiu.edu