Urinetown

Urinetown, Broadway’s Tony-Award winning musical phenomenon, created by Chicago’s own Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, will begin its first commercial Chicago run this spring beginning with previews on March 15 and opening on Sunday March 26, 2006 at The Mercury Theater.  

Tom Mullen directed the first U.S. regional production of the show and will co-produce with the newly formed Blue Dog Entertainment L.L.C. in a newly-imagined production which is being tailor-made for the historic Mercury Theatre.  Associate Director Matthew Gunnels says, “The Mercury Theatre is the perfect venue for this eagerly-awaited, sit-down production, blending the dynamite architecture of the old nickelodeon into a brand new environmental design.”

Nominated for ten Tony Awards, winner for “Best Book of a Musical”, Urinetown is the wildly satirical tale of greed, corruption, romance and revolution in a city where water is worth its weight in gold!

The hysterical romp both celebrates and spoofs the best of Broadway traditions, poking good-natured fun at everything from corporate greed and politics to boy-meets-girl romance to good-versus-evil. The production affectionately nods to Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, Les Miserables, plus a few other surprises.  The musical features music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann, book and lyrics by Greg Kotis, who have reportedly begun working on a sequel as well as a prequel to Urinetown.

In the choice roles of Bobby Strong and Hope Cladwell, Mullen has cast Tamara Spiewak (Broadway, Les Miserables) and Michael Buchanan (National Tour, Miss Saigon).

Other Chicago cast members include: Christine Sherrill (Singing in the Rain, CCPA, Hello Again, Apple Tree) as Penelope Pennywise; Michael Accardo (The Full Monty, Drury Lane) as Caldwell B. Cladwell; Norm Boucher (West Side Story, Marriott) as Senator Fipp; Jon Frazier (The Full Monty, Drury Lane) as Officer Lockstock; Roni Geva (Awesome 80’s Prom) as Little Sally; Rob Lindley (Closer than Ever) as Mr. McQueen; Brian Sills (Disney’s The Lion King) as Old Man Strong and Hot Blades Harry; Nancy Jane Nelson (Wicked City) as Ma Strong; Sarah Hayes (Sweeney Todd, Porchlight) as Soupy Sue; and Jon Runnfeldt (The Sound of Music, Theater at the Center) as Tiny Tom.  Dan Ferretti, Bil Ingraham, Michael Mahler, Sara Patsy, Maggie Portman, Gerald Richardson, Thomas M. Shea, and Amy Steele comprise the rest of the company.

Tom Mullen credits include the first regional production of Urinetown, as well as the world premiere of What a Glorious Feeling, a backstory musical co-conceived by Mullen that tells the story of co-directors Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen and the making of Singin in the Rain written by Jay Berkow.  Other credits include the world premiere of Wicked City, by Chad Beguelin and Matt Sklar the creators of the upcoming Broadway show, The Wedding Singer. He’s directed I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Full Gallop with Emmy winner Jill Larson, served as the Associate Director on the Broadway revival of Sondheim’s Company and directed the national tours of The World Goes ‘Round & The King and I. He served as the associate director of the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Company at the Roundabout, and as the associate director of The Rhythm Club at the Signature in DC.

Musical Direction is by Michael Sobie, Choreography by Brian Loeffler,

Scenic Design is by John Rotonda, Lighting Design is by Jennifer Kules, Costume & Wig Design is by Bill Morey and Props Design is by Austin Rodriguez.