Balagan Theatre and Seattle Musical Theatre to Co-Produce URINETOWN, 8/8-24

The heads of Balagan Theatre heard that Seattle Musical Theatre (SMT) also had Urinetown in their season and reached out to the heads of SMT to create a partnership that would be more beneficial for both theaters and for the theatre community. With this in mind, Balagan is shifting their scheduled Urinetown production from September to August, to allow for a Co-Production with Seattle Musical Theatre. Balagan is thrilled to add SMT to their season co-producers. This joint production of Urinetown will take place at SMT's theater at Magnuson Park.

Kicking off the season, the Tony Award-winning show will be directed by Balagan Executive Director and Founder, Jake Groshong. "This is one of those shows that has always been on our Must-Produce list," says Groshong, "I couldn't be more excited that we're finally bringing a Balagan production of Urinetown to Seattle - and to be able to work with SMT in a mutually beneficial way makes it that much better." This irreverent, hilarious and ultimately touching piece is set in a drought plagued town where water is so scarce that toilets are controlled by an evil corporation. Satirizing the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics, and the Broadway musical form itself, Urinetown was game-changer upon its release in 2001 - and is perfect fodder for the crews at Balagan and SMT.

Balagan Theatre and Seattle Musical Theatre will present Urinetown August 8 - 24, 2014, on the SMT stage at Magnuson Park. Tickets are on sale now at balagantheatre.org.

Directed by Balagan Executive Director and Founder Jake Groshong (Les Miserables, Big Love, Full Monty, Arabian Nights), with set design by Jared Roberts (Jerry Springer: The Opera), costume design by Carmen Olmedo (Jerry Springer: The Opera) and lighting design by Balagan Technical Director Ahren Buhmann (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Jerry Springer: The Opera).

The cast includes Frederick Hagreen as Bobby Strong, Molli Corcoran as Hope Cladwell, Kate Jaeger as Penelope Pennywise, Douglas Willott as Officer Lockstock and Michael Warner as Caldwell Cladwell. The show will also feature Mark Abel, Bobby Barnts-McAulay, Dakota Daley, Patrick Dullenty, Hisam Goueli, Amy Helmuth, Brian Lange, Tatum Ludlam, Ryan McCabe, Shermona Mitchell, Tara Nix, Jeff Orton, Tori Spero, and Leslie Youngblood.

To arrange interviews or request workshop production photos, please contact Justin Huertas at justin@balagantheatre.org or (206) 329-1050.

About Balagan Theatre

Balagan Theatre produces highly acclaimed theatre at a highly accessible price to raise up the next generation of artists, audiences, and artistic work. From award-winning shows like Spring Awakening and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog to "Best of the Year" productions like Avenue Q and August: Osage County, Balagan is known for creating exceptionally crafted, thought-provoking theatre, which we offer to the community at an affordable price, in a personal environment. Learn more at balagantheatre.org.

About Seattle Musical Theatre

The mission of Seattle Musical Theatre is to engage and educate musical theater patrons and artists of all ages with productions of high artistic value as part of a viable component of the Puget Sound region's cultural environment. Learn more at seattlemusicaltheatre.org