The Eagle Eye Newspaper

By Emme Hogge, Managing Editor

El Camino’s Drama program put on its second production of the 2023-2024 school year on Mar. 14 through 16, titled “Urinetown.”

“Urinetown” is a satirical comedy musical that criticizes the legal system, capitalism, corporate greed and municipal politics. The original “Urinetown,” directed by John Rando, premiered in 2001 and was nominated for multiple Tony Awards and won three.

The show opens with Officer Lockstock, played by Nikita Protsenko (‘24), and Little Sally, played by Mel Kim (‘24), who explain that a 20-year drought has caused a terrible water shortage that has forced the eradication of private toilets. Restrooms are now made public and are controlled by megacorporation Urine Good Company, or UGC, run by Caldwell B. Cladwell, played by Quinn Reynolds (‘26). To pay for water supply, all users of public restrooms are required to pay to pee; those who break this rule are sent away to “Urinetown,” and never return.

Drama Teacher and Director of “Urinetown” Michael DiSalvo explained that he chose this particular musical as a way of introducing his unique style.

“It is very sarcastic and satirical and dark, which is kind of my taste,” DiSalvo said.

DiSalvo also expressed his pride in how the show turned out despite complications during rehearsal and prior to opening.

“It was very well received–the set, light and sound all kind of came together [and] it looked great,” DiSalvo explained.

Elizabeth Ramirez (‘24), who played Hope Cladwell, expressed her gratitude for being able to be a part of “Urinetown”, as she has never been in a high school musical or play.

“I couldn’t have asked for anything better. It was so exciting, and even though there were definitely some challenges, it was still amazing,” Ramirez said.

“Urinetown” focuses primarily on characters Bobby Strong, played by Tanner Edenfield (‘24) and Hope Cladwell, Caldwell B. Cladwell’s daughter, played by Ramirez. Bobby Strong’s father is taken away to Urinetown in the beginning of Act I after urinating without paying. Later that day, Hope Cladwell arrives at UGC as the new fax/copy girl. Hope and Bobby meet, and Bobby confides in her his distraught over his father’s arrest. The two realize that they both share the hope for a better world, where people can pee for free, and fall in love.

When a member of UGC raises the price to pee the next day, Bobby begins the pee-for-free rebellion, breaking open the doors of the restroom. Caldwell B. Cladwell is informed of the situation and arrives with Hope to crush it. Bobby kidnaps Hope as leverage, and he and the rebels escape.

Act II begins with Officer Lockstock, who introduces the situation and informs the audience the rebels are holed up in a secret hideout. Boby and his mother leave to recruit other Custodians to the rebellion, and Little Sally runs off after almost being caught by Officer Lockstock. Believing that Bobby, his mother and Little Sally were captured, the rebels plan to kill Hope. Bobby arrives in time and reminds them that their purpose is to free all people of the land. Authoritarian Penelope Pennywise who runs Public Amenity No. 9, played by Luwam Naizghi (‘24), arrives and tells Bobby to come back to UGC headquarters.

Once at UGC, Bobby is offered cash to return Hope, which he refuses. Caldwell B. Cladwell orders that he be taken away to Urinetown. He is led to the top of the UGC building and learns that urinetown is not a place: it is death. He is thrown off the building and is killed.

Little Sally returns to the rebels and tells Hope that Bobby is dead, and that his last words were “Tell her I love her.” Pennywise is revealed to be Hope’s mother, and the two of them convince the rebels to let Hope lead them. Hope confronts her father, and allows him to be thrown off the building as well. 

Finally at peace, and having the ability to pee for free, the people are looking forward to a new age. However, the water supply quickly disappears, and they realize that UGC keeps people from dying of thirst.

Edenfield, who landed the part of Bobby Strong after only having been in one other musical, went deeper into the universal message of Urine Town.

“Just because people are painted in a good light doesn’t mean they’re always right,” Edenfield explained. “My character was portrayed as a hero, but in the end [doing what the character did] ended up killing everyone.”

This idea can be seen represented in almost all of the characters in the play: Caldwell B. Cladwell, the so-called “villain,” was discovered to be the only person who kept their society from squabbling over a scarce water supply. Even Hope, portrayed as the beautiful, pure young girl, is killed in the end because the rebels blame her for her naive decision not to regulate the water supply.

Ramirez expanded on the theme of the play, explaining that she believed it also had a lot to do with corruption.

“Absolute power corrupts absolutely–no matter how good you’re trying to be or how much you care about people or an idea,” Ramirez said.

“Urinetown” was overall a success, both in production and in turn out. For more information on the drama program and any upcoming plays, visit DiSalvo in room S-3.