Urinetown: interview #2 with White Bear Lake High School's cast

November 11, 9:51 AMMinneapolis Performing Arts ExaminerClaudia Haas

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Urinetown at White Bear Lake High School
Stephanie Solomon

Urinetown opens at White Bear Lake North Campus on Friday, November 13th. The student-actors have been very enthusiastic about the choice of show and the rehearsal period. Below are some thoughts from two more of the cast members.

Jordan Solei, a high school junior who plays Officer Barrel answered a few questions.

What are the challenges working on Urinetown?
As with any other show, this musical takes an incredible amount of time to perfect. We spend hours nearly every day running the show and improving it.

What do you think you are getting from working on the play?
Well first of all, there's the comraderie. The cast is made up of an incredible group of kids who I might never have had the pleasure to meet otherwise. Also, I believe I really have an increased work ethic and sense of determination from spending so much time trying to make every little movement of my character as "perfect" as possible. It's an amazing feeling to really have an attachment to the character.

What will the audience take away with them? Why should they see it?
The show is fantastically witty. There's a lot of smart humor. It references and even pokes a little fun at other musicals, plays, and even some pop culture. You'd be hard pressed to see the show and not want to discuss the jokes and spoofs.

Any anecdotes or stories from the rehearsals?
On more than one occasion, when we're feeling extra stressed about the show, we have learned to take a moment and laugh at ourselves. After all, how often do people get this worked up about pee?
 

A freshman student, Rachel Altier also answered the short questionnaire. She is in the chorus with the unique chorus-girl name of "Tinkle Tanya."

What are the challenges working on Urinetown?
I'm kind of clumsy, so I have a bit of trouble with the dancing, and this show is more vocally demanding than any musical I've ever done before.

What do you think you are getting from working on the play?
I've made a lot of new friends, and I feel more connected to school. I also feel like it's helped me to mature as an actor.

What will the audience take away with them? Why should they see it?
They will take away a message to preserve our resources. A future like Urinetown could be on the horizon. Also, I think they will enjoy the quirky, witty humor and fun songs.

Any anecdotes or stories from the rehearsals?
There are so many little exchanges between people. I have way too many stories to put them all here. There are a lot of really funny people in this show, and almost every one of them has done something to make my day at one point during rehearsal, even if they didn't know it.

As evidenced by the above remarks, the students are not only enthused by the choice of play but clearly enjoy the friendships that often comes with working many hours as a cast on a high school play. It's a double bonus when the rehearsal period is as creative and welcoming as performing the show in front of a live audience.
 

Urinetown opens at the White Bear Lake North Campus Theatre, at 5040 Bald Eagle Avenue, on November 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21 at 7:00 pm, with a 2 pm matinee performance that is free for senior citizens on November 14. Tickets are $7 for students and seniors and $9 for adults.
 

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