You might think Urinetown: The Musical sounds unappealing, but don’t let the title fool you. This musical won Tony Awards for its direction, book, music and lyrics when it first ran on Broadway in 2002, and the New York Times called it, “a great musical-extraordinary, hilarious, and entirely original.” It will be all that and more when presented this summer by the talented cast and crew at ACT. The story is set in a city where a 20-year drought has created a terrible water shortage, forcing the citizens to pay to…pee. The social commentary in its off-beat plot is certainly relevant today, as it satirizes capitalism, bureaucracy, and corporate greed. Indeed, Urinetown: The Musical is the perfect mix of sophisticated, dark humor and fun, wacky music and characters. It satirizes the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, and municipal politics. The show also parodies musicals such as The Threepenny Opera, The Cradle Will Rock and Les Misérables, and the Broadway musical itself as a form. Urinetown: The Musical is an irreverently humorous satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny. Praised for reinvigorating the very notion of what a musical could be, Urinetown: The Musical catapults the "comedic romp" into the new millennium with its outrageous perspective, wickedly modern wit and sustained ability to produce gales of unbridled laughter.
Cast and Creative team for Urinetown: The Musical at Aurora Community Theatre
Cast
Alexcia Ambroz
Little Becky Two Shoes / Mrs. Millennium
Alexcia's favorite credits include Eurydice in Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice, Aphra/Snake in Children of Eden, and Florinda in Into the Woods. Alexcia has her BA in acting and directing from Baldwin Wallace University. In her free time she plays guitar or with her puppies, Polly and Windsor. Alexcia thanks her dad and her best friend Cody for being her biggest cheerleaders in life.
Brandon Anders
Mr. McQueen
Brandon is delighted to make his ACT debut working with this talented group! You may remember Brandon from his last appearance on stage back in the 20th century as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors at Basic High School. He would like to thank his patient
wife Avril and wonderful kids Lilah, Parker, and Aria for their support. Brandon hopes you enjoy the show as well as the clean, complimentary restrooms!
Ronald E. Aulet
Senator Fipp
Ronald is making his debut at ACT. He most recently appeared as Ted Schieder in DISASTER! The Musical at TNT. Ronald’s favorite roles include Peter Evan in Bug at The Oakland Center for the Arts Jonathan in The Play That Goes Wrong, and various characters in The Laramie Project both at TNT. He would like to thank his wife for all her love and support through this adventure.
George Bailey
Officer Lockstock
George has recently appeared as Nick Bottom in Something Rotten at CVLT. George spent 7 years touring with Columbus Children’s Theatre where he performed for kids all over the state of Ohio. His favorite roles include The Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors, Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and General Schmitz in Seussical. Along with his team at Edwin J. Hill Productions George has won numerous awards for acting, writing, songwriting, and producing short films for The 48 Hour Film Project.
Alessia Carrossellia
Little Sally
Alessia's first community theater performance concluded in April, where she performed in the ensemble of Something Rotten at CVLT. The Wizard of Oz was the first musical Alessia was in. Which unexpectedly led to her performing at Connor Palace! Aside from admiring theater, Alessia loves traveling and getting to experience new places and activities. She hopes folks enjoy Urinetown: The Musical, of course!
Craig Conrad
Caldwell B. Cladwell
Craig is no stranger to performing. His favorite roles to date are Dennis Shepard in The Laramie Project at Trumbull New Theatre, Macduff in Macbeth, Kent State Trumbull, and Dan in next to normal. Craig enjoys watching his Bengals with his dad, wife, and son (WHO DEY), and one of Craig’s favorite memories is playing Teen Angel to his daughter’s Frenchie in Grease!
Matthew Harrington
Billy Boy Bill
Matthew has not performed since 2020 when he played Vice Principal Douglas Panch in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Lake Ridge Academy. Matthew is thrilled to perform once again and is grateful to ACT for this opportunity. He is excited to transfer to Dickinson College to pursue a BA in anthropology and in economics this fall, and he wants to give appreciation to his loved ones.
McKenna Hassel
Hope Cladwell
McKenna is currently pursuing her BFA in Musical Theatre at Kent State University and is headed into her sophomore year. Her past credits include Newsie/Bowery Beauty in Newsies, Snoopy in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, and Alana in The Little Mermaid. McKenna would like to thank her family for their continued support.
Elaijah Houpt
Hot Blades Harry
Elaijah attends Kent State University, where he just recently got accepted into the BFA Musical Theatre Program. He is ecstatic to be playing the chaotic role of Hot Blades Harry and is honored to share the stage with
this talented cast. Elaijah's favorite credits include Willard Hewitt in Footloose, Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors, and Oliver Warbucks in Annie. He would like to give a huge shout-out to his family, friends, and most of all, you! On with the show!
Patrick Jalbert
Robby The Stockfish
Patrick is ecstatic to be back again at ACT for another show. This is his third show at ACT, the first two being How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. Patrick is extremely proud of this overly talented Cast and Crew.
Jack Jennemann
Dr. Billeaux / Tiny Tom
Jack was last seen on the ACT stage in Bonnie and Clyde and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. He has also performed in She Loves Me at Geauga Lyric and Something Rotten at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre.
Bob Maddox
Old Man Strong
Bob was last seen as Charlie in August:Osage County at ACT and most recently as Milt in Laughter on the 23rd Floor at The Hudson Players. He has also appeared at Weathervane, Western Reserve Playhouse and Independence Community Theatre. Bob is an accomplished designer and director. He has staged more than 100 productions in Ohio, Florida and Texas and will be directing the ACT’s production of Hair in Summer 2024.
Melanie Moore
Rebel Poor/ UGC Executive
Melanie's most recent show was Something Rotten! at Hudson Players. She recently moved to Streetsboro, and she is so grateful for all the new friends she has made through the Performing Arts. She would like to thank the cast and directorial team for their warm welcome to the community!
James Newton
Bobby Strong
James is a rising junior BFA musical theatre major at Wright State University, with Wright State credits including The Gondoliers, Sister Act, and Arcadia. He would like to thank the production team for the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful show with this fantastic cast. Love to family and friends. Enjoy the show!
Instagram: james_robert_newton
Peggy Newton
Penelope Pennywise
Peggy's recent roles include Shirley Summers in Disaster! The Musical, Williamina Fleming in Silent Sky, The Witch in Into the Woods, Emma Goldman in Ragtime, and her critically acclaimed performance as Anna Edson Taylor in the non-NYC Premiere of Michael John LaChiusa’s Queen of the Mist at Broadview Heights Spotlights, as well as Marmee in Little Women at Cassidy Theater. Thanks for supporting live theatre!
Jessie Pollak
Soupy Sue/Cladwell's Secretary
Jessie recently received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and works as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Beachwood. She has recently been seen in Diary of Anne Frank at Fine Arts Association, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf at Twin Masks Performing Arts Center, and Bonnie and Clyde at ACT. Jessie would like to thank Marc, Keith, Ann and the cast for such an incredible experience!
Louis Schwartz
Officer Barrel
Louis Schwartz is a graduate of The College of Wooster with a BA in chemistry, minor in theatre and dance. His recent roles included Mr. Kraler in The Diary of Anne Frank and Robin in Something Rotten. Louis was also seen last summer as Patrick Star in the Cleveland premiere of The SpongeBob Musical. Thanks to Marc and Keith for this amazing opportunity. Special thanks and Happy 25th Anniversary to my parents. Thank you to all my friends and family for their continued support in all his endeavors.
Irene Molnar
Josephine Strong
Irene is thrilled to make her ACT debut with Urinetown. She’s excited to be back on stage again in the Cleveland area after an eighteen-year stint in our Nation's Capital, staying active in community theater as an Actor, Costumer and Producer of several shows in the DC area. Irene’s favorite roles include Ernestina Money in Hello Dolly, Mary Ellen Eustice in Based on a Totally True Story, Patricia Fodor in Crazy for you, and a lot of countless dance ensembles back in the day! Thank you, Marc, for the opportunity to step back up on the stage again!
Creative Team
Karen Cirino
Costume Designer
Karen has been with ACT for over 5 years. Her first play with ACT was Fences. Karen also does costumes for Olmsted Falls High School, and Middle school. Last summer she did costumes for a play that was featured at the Playwright Festival In Cleveland. Karen would like to tell the actors and crew - Break-a-leg.
Maggie Hamilton
Sound Designer
Maggie has been the resident sound designer for 11 years now and encourages you to use our telecoil loop system with compatible hearing devices, (HA, CI, or BAHA), though there are currently seats in the rear of the theater with interference from the new defibrillator. We have receivers with headphones available to borrow. AKA Dr. Hamilton, Maggie is an audiologist who works with cochlear implant recipients.
Katie Hintze
Producer
Katie is happy to be in the background producing this marvelous show. You may have last seen her on stage as Taylor in The Play That Goes Wrong at ACT. Thanks to Vince for being supportive. Special thanks to this talented cast and the hard working production team for making this show amazing! Please enjoy Urinetown: The Musical, not the place.
Marc C. Howard
Director/Choreographer
Marc is originally from California and has taught and studied dance, choreographed, directed, and performed all throughout the Bay Area and Los Angeles for well over 3 decades. Marc attended California State University, Chabot College and The American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco and studied dance with Joe Tremaine, Dennon & Sayhber Rawles and Hinton Battle. He also worked with Lucas Films for MTV. Locally, Marc has directed Into The Woods, Once Upon A Mattress, Man of La Mancha, Jesus Christ Superstar, Zombie Prom, Chicago, Bonnie and Clyde, Grease, Next To Normal, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Drowsy Chaperone, A Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder, Something Rotten, Putting It Together, The Last Five Years, First Date, ‘night, Mother, The Rocky Horror Show, Working: The Musical, She Loves Me, The Dixie Swim Club, Shout! The Mod Musical, Pete ‘n’ Keely, The Addams Family- A New Musical, and The Marvelous Wonderettes. He would like to thank his husband Keith for all his love and support.
For more information got to: marcchoward.com
Ann Nyenhuis
Stage Manager/Technical Director
Ann is in her ninth season with ACT and loves working with all the incredibly talented volunteers, actors, and staff. Ann has a BM, cum laude, in vocal performance from Kent State. She has over 30 plus years’ experience in the technical aspects of theater. Ann spends what free time she has watching Cleveland sports with her husband, Dave, and sharing cuddle time with her beloved Australian Cattle dog, Lady.
Todd Plone
Set Designer
Todd is a freelance scenic designer, residing in the Cleveland area. He is delighted to return to ACT for his 10th set design here. Todd’s recent designs in the area include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof for Ohio Shakespeare, Dancing at Lughnasa at Case Western Reserve University as a visiting designer, Near West’s production of All Shook Up, and Playwrights Local’s The King of Cage Street.
Hannah Rubenstahl
Scenic Artist/Assistant Stage Manager
Hannah is happy to be back at ACT as a scenic artist. If you've seen any of the plays this season then you've seen her work! Hannah studied technical theater at the Pacific Conservatory Theater, in California, where she graduated with honors. She can also be found at Treehouse Toys and Play where she dabbles in her other passion: early childhood education, or hanging out with her amazing 11 year-old.
Ruby Rubenstahl
Lighting Designer
Ruby is a graduate of the Kent State University Theater and Dance program. He has nearly 20 years of experience in theatrical, architectural, and cruise ship lighting in 40 states along with several international projects. Urinetown will be Ruby's second production with Aurora Community Theatre. He's excited to be returning and looks forward to many more in the future.
Amanda Ruby
Board Liaison
Amanda studied theatre at Edinboro University (BA) and Kent State (MA). She has done just about everything over the years - from directing to dramaturgy. Amanda created and runs an after-school theatre program called Acting Up that is coming to ACT this fall. She enjoyed producing August: Osage County and The Play That Goes Wrong for ACT this year and wishes this cast and crew the best!
Allie Stark
Prop Master
Allie is a student at Kent State University majoring in Environmental Studies. She has done shows at ACT and at Walsh Jesuit High School. In Allie’s free time she can be found watching movies and spending time with her friends. She would like to thank her friends and family for their continuous support throughout all her endeavors.
D. Keith Stiver
Music Director
D. Keith holds a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance, and two Master’s Degrees in Music. He began doing theatre when he was 8 years old and began doing music direction in 2004 at ACT with The Pirates of Penzance. Keith has worked all over northeast Ohio as a performer, music director, and director. He is very happy to be revisiting Urinetown, the Musical, which he music directed 15 years ago, and is excited to be doing this production with his husband Marc and an amazingly
talented cast. In addition to his work in theatre, Keith operates the Stiver Voice Studio in South Euclid and is an adjunct faculty member at Cuyahoga Community College in Parma. He also serves as the
Coordinator of Musical Life at Lyndhurst Community of Faith Church. Keith is also a published composer with several commissions to his credit. He is eternally thankful for the love and support of his husband
Marc and their chihuahuas, Sebastian and Junior.
www. Stivervoicestudio.com
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