Aloha Performing Arts Company

Aloha Performing Arts Company
P.O. Box 794
Kealakekua, HI 96750
322-9924

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2/21/07

CAST CHOSEN FOR "URINETOWN"

Casting is complete and rehearsals are underway for Aloha Performing Arts Company's next mainstage production, "Urinetown, the Musical" by Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis. The show premiered on Broadway in September 2001, which makes it the newest Broadway musical ever to be presented in Kona. After a rocky beginning because of the 9/11 terror attacks, the show became a huge success, garnering three Tony awards, for book, score, and direction. "Urinetown" is a grand and winking love letter the the conventions of the musical theatre, and an untempered satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny and skewering. The show depicts a world wracked by ecological disaster, caught in the throes of corporate greed, and ultimately felled by the best intentions. In a Gotham-like city, the depletion of the water supply has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The privilege to pee is regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. A hero arises to lead the people to freedom, but the classic Broadway musical happy ending is assiduously avoided.

Pivotal characters are portrayed by newcomers to APAC. Hope Cladwell, the naive ingenue who has just been hired to work for the malevolent controlling company, is played by Celine Willard, a 6th grade math and reading teacher at Konawaena Middle School. Hot Blades Harry, a street hustler and rebellion figure, is played by Lee Vinson, a veteran of many lavish hotel shows in Las Vegas. Vinson is also designing costumes for the show.

The authority figures in the show are a pair of policemen named Officers Lockstock and Barrel, and are played by Randy Ressler and Chuck Makanui, respectively. Dick Hershberger, who recently played Daddy Warbucks in the Palace Theatre production of "Annie," is the corporate fat cat villain, Caldwell B. Cladwell, owner of the evil toilet monopoly. Sue Boyum, who is the choral director of the production, will appear as Penelope Pennywise, the proprietress of the cheapest, dirtiest urinal in the city, Public Amenity Number Nine. Bobby Strong, the hero who attempts to free the unwashed masses, is played by Marc Valenti. Marc's brother, Sam Valenti, is playing Mr. McQueen, Cladwell's main lackey. Ken Fowler plays the corrupt Senator Fipp, Carmen Kinsey plays Mrs. Millennium, and Eileen Weiner plays Dr. Billeaux. Dick Gray and Catherine Hansen play Old Man Strong and Josephine Strong, the hero's parents. Other members of the rebel poor include Christi Halversen as Little Sally, Louis Jaeger as Robby the Stockfish, Tyler Wood as Billy Boy Bill, Malia Lugo as Little Becky Two Shoes, Arlene Araki as Soupy Sue, and Michael Shaw as Tiny Tom.

Jerry Tracy is director, with Dale Ross as musical director and Trish Gura as technical director. Assistant director Robin O'Hara and choreographer Amma Maxwell will also appear in the show as cops. Designers new to APAC are Denver Davis, lighting, Suzanne Bailie, properties, Lee Vinson, costumes, and Dallan Flint, hair and makeup. Producers are Liz Zagorodney and Ken Ross, and stage manager is John Powell.

"Urinetown, the Musical" will be performed at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu April 6th through 29th, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Premium seating is available for any performance at $30. Thursdays all regular seats are $15. Saturdays and Sundays, regular seats are $15 for students and senior citizens and $18 for adults. Tickets are available by phone at 322-1648, online at www.apachawaii.org, and at the theatre box office beginning one hour prior to curtain time. Dinner theatre packages are available by calling the Aloha Angel Cafe at 322-2122. For more information, call the APAC office at 322-9924.