Andi Johnson (left) as Little Sally and Randall Taylor (right) as Bobby Strong in Theatre NDSU’s first mainstage production, ‘Urinetown: The Musical.’
Theatre NDSU is kicking off the 2017- 2018 season with “Urinetown: The Musical,” opening this Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. I sat down with some of the artists involved in the project for a preview of the show.
Maria Sunderman (junior, musical theatre) and Zach Christensen (sophomore, performance) are both cast members. Sunderman plays Hope Cladwell, the charismatic female lead and daughter of Caldwell Cladwell (Christensen) who runs Urine Good Company, a politically engaged water regulating company that makes poor people pay to pee.
The music is Sunderman’s favorite part because it is fun to sing and listen to, whereas Christensen found the music to be the most challenging part, understandably so seeing as this is his first musical theatre experience.
Christensen just transferred to NDSU and said, “This show’s rehearsal process has really been helpful in helping me transition into the new school and make a lot of friends. The music is challenging, but I’ve been learning a lot”.
Adam Giebner (junior, music education) is the assistant music director for the show, a role that is not always utilized in Theatre NDSU productions, but has proven to be extremely helpful in this production. Giebner taught all of the ensemble numbers in the early stages and then proceeded to work individual solos with leads throughout the process.
When I asked how he got involved in the show, he said he simply asked Nick Albrecht (director and music director of “Urinetown”) and then was on board.
Finally, I had the chance to speak to the director and music director himself. Albrecht is a musical theatre faculty at Theatre NDSU.
“It has been more of a challenge than I initially intended,” Albrecht said in regards to directing and music directing the same production. “You not only have to focus on the whole show and all of the acting, but also all of the dynamics and intonation of the music throughout. With Adam on board, we could definitely divide and conquer better.”
All in all, “Urinetown” is shaping up to be a bladder-bursting comedy that you will not want to miss. Albrecht said to expect “a funny, lighthearted, dark musical with a twist ending. Come in ready to enjoy it and you most certainly will.”
“Urinetown: The Musical” runs Oct 19-21 and 25-28 at 7:30 p.m. in Askanase Hall. All NDSU students get a free ticket with their valid student ID. To purchase tickets, call 701-231-7969 or visit the NDSU Performing Arts website.
MORE INFO:
When: Oct. 19 – 21, 25 – 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Askanase Auditorium
Price: Free for NDSU students with ID
More info: Theatre NDSU website and Facebook page