Two of the area’s best known performers and VLT regulars, the Kollars last appeared onstage together prior their marriage ten years ago. Since then, both have appeared numerous times on VLT stages. Kollar, both an actor and director, is also VLT’s Associate Director and Gardner-Kollar serves as VLT’s Facilities Director.

The story is set in a town plagued by a water drought, causing private toilet facilities to be banned. An evil corporation, The Urine Good Corporation, is managing the supply by charging people to use pay toilets. Refusal or inability to pay results in a person being hauled off to Urinetown. Out of the mass of this miserable population, a hero rises to lead his fellow citizens against the tyranny.

This delightful, fresh and funny play gets plenty of attention for its title alone – wherever it opens. In Erie, Pennsylvania, a Roman Catholic high school staged the play in 2006 while managing not to use the title on the tickets or the program (because their Bishop objected to it).

Some comments from the New York reviewers of the original production:

NY Times: "a zesty and full-bodied original" "Marvelously self-conscious satire of the musical theatre’s social conscience" "hilarious" "a high-spirited joke"

New York Magazine: "lyrics [that] have a die-hard whimsicality"

Time Out: "for anarchic, first-rate comic relief, get thee to Urinetown"

New York Observer: "enjoyable silliness"

Directing is VLT’s Brad Wages, who also choreographs. Wages’ previous credits include direction of VLT productions of Little Shop of Horrors, Fools and Cabaret, and choreography of Grease, Nunsense, Beauty & The Beast, and last season’s The Full Monty. He also choreographed The Rocky Horror Show in which he also played the role of Frankenfurter.

Musical Director is Michael Sebastian, whose has directed a number of cabarets at VLT and is the artistic force behind the new Backlot Theatre.

The dark and dreary look of Urinetown is being created by Scenic Designer Donna Buckalter and Costume Designer Nicholas Hartman. Chris McVicker designs lighting and Dorian Boyd does sound design. Sue Brennan is stage manager.

The theatre is located at 140 W. Tampa Ave on the island in Venice. The Box Office is open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday and opens one hour before all performances.

7716: Brian Rudolph and Ally Tufenkjian as Officer Lockstock and Little Sally.

Urine’hold’-1: left to right are Allan Kollar as Hot Blades Harry, Ally Tufenkjian as Little Sally, and Laura Hoffman as Soupy Sue.

Music and Lyrics by MARK HOLLMANN

Book and Lyrics by GREG KOTIS

a MainStage production

APRIL 1-20, 2008

Tickets $23.00

DIRECTOR and CHOREOGRAPHER: Brad Wages

MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Michael Sebastian

STAGE MANAGER: Sue Brennan

SCENIC DESIGN: Donna Buckalter

LIGHTING DESIGN: Chris McVicker

SOUND DESIGN: Dorian Boyd

COSTUME DESIGN: Nicholas Hartman

MAKE UP DESIGN: Michelle Michalak

Officer Lockstock : Brian Rudolph

Penelope Pennywise : Kim Gardner-Kollar

Bobby Strong : Craig Weiskerger

Little Sally : Ally Tufenkjian

Dr. Billeaux / Cop : Chris Powell

Mr. McQueen / Cop : Shawn Watkins

Senator Fipp : Mike Griffith

Officer Barrel : Jason Brenner

Hope Cladwell : Heather Kopp

Old Man Strong : Steve Credeur

Tiny Tom : Constantine Savalas

Soupy Sue : Laura Hoffman

Little Becky Two Shoes : Natalia Mock

Robby the Stockfish : Damian Jeremy Stone

Caldwell B. Cladwell : Don Walker

Josephine Strong : Dawn Hale

Mrs. Millenium : Maria Santagada

Hot Blades Harry : Allan Kollar

Billy Boy Bill : Bryan Ratliff

Office Staff : Emily Mounce, Stefanie Harmon, Marla Oppenheim