Etobicoke Musical Productions

Upcoming Productions

Let us entertain you with a variety of major musicals! Once you see and hear us, you'll be back for more!

Upcoming Shows:

Anne of Green Gables - Fall 2008
Jesus Christ Superstar - Spring 2009
A Christmas Carol (Broadway)- Fall 2009
Hello, Dolly - Spring 2010
Oliver - Fall 2010
Urinetown - Spring 2011

Anne of Green Gables - Fall 2008

Book By: Donald Harron

Music By: Norman Campbell

Lyrics By: Donald Harron, Norman Campbell, Mavor Moore, Elaine Campbell

Adapted from the Novel: Anne of Green Gables by: Lucy Maude Montgomery

ACT ONE

The ladies of the little village of Avonlea are gathering in front of the church for their regular Tuesday afternoon meeting of the Auxiliary (“GREAT WORKERS FOR THE CAUSE”) when Matthew Cuthbert dashes past in a buggy all dressed up in his Sunday best. (“WHERE IS MATTHEW GOING?”) They delegate one of their number, Mrs. Lynde, to call on Matthew’s spinster sister, Marilla, to find out what’s up. Matthew arrives at the local railway station to collect an orphan boy from Nova Scotia who will help him work on the farm. The boy turns out to be a girl, and she is overjoyed at the prospect of having a new home (“GEE I’M GLAD I’M NOONE ELSE BUT ME”). Matthew hasn’t the heart to tell her the truth, takes her home anyway, but his sister is adamant about correcting the mistake. (“WE CLEARLY REQUESTED A BOY”). Next day she attempts to unload the orphan girl on another family, but relents when she learns about Anne’s wretched personal history (“THE FACTS”). Anne arrives back at Green Gables to stay, and her first social caller is Mrs. Lynde, who makes brutally frank remarks about Anne’s appearance, and receives a few frank remarks from the orphan in return. Anne is sent to her room until she apologizes. Matthew manages to persuade her by outlining his philosophy of life (“HUMBLE PIE”) and Anne overwhelms Mrs. Lynde with the extent of her apology. (“OH MRS. LYNDE”)

Annes’ first day at school (‘BACK TO SCHOOL”) brings a fresh disaster when she is teased about her looks by fellow student Gilbert Blythe and in retaliation smashes her slate over his head. Gilbert is not quite sure what hit him. (“WONDERIN’”). Gilbert’s would-be girl-friend, Josie Pye, jealous of Anne, spreads an exaggerated version of the slate-cracking incident throughout the village of Avonlea. (“DID YOU HEAR’) But truth will win out and Anne’s reputation is saved in time for her to go to the Sunday School picnic, where she enjoys her first taste of a new exotic treat (“ICE CREAM”).

ACT TWO

After an all too short vacation the pupils return to Avonlea School (“SUMMER”), Anne renews her feud with Gilbert Blythe, but pledges undying devotion to her best friend, Diana Barry (“KINDRED SPIRITS”). School becomes a joy to Anne because of the presence of a new and dynamic teacher, Miss Stacy (“OPEN THE WINDOW”). She encourages both Anne and Gilbert to try for the same scholarship and their rivalry reaches a new intensity (“I’LL SHOW HIM”). Next comes the School Concert and Matthew finally takes action to augment Anne’s limited wardrobe (“GENERAL STORE”). When the results of the scholarship are announced, everyone in town takes the credit for our heroine’s achievements. (“IF IT HADN’T BEEN FOR ME”) but the real assessment of her worth comes from Anne’s most devoted fan, Matthew. (“ANNE OF GREEN GABLES”). Marilla articulates her deep feelings for Matthew and Anne (“THE WORDS”) AND Anne and Gilbert at long last begin their friendship (“WONDERIN’” Reprise).

Jesus Christ Superstar - Spring 2009

Music By: Andrew Lloyd Webber

Lyrics By: Tim Rice

Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Introduced in 1970, it highlights the political and interpersonal struggles of Judas Iscariot and Jesus. The action largely follows the canonical gospels' accounts of the last week of Jesus's life, beginning with the entry into Jerusalem and ending with the Crucifixion. Twentieth-century attitude and sensibilities as well as contemporary slang pervade the lyrics, and ironic allusions to modern life are scattered throughout the political depiction of the events.

About the Show

Judas Iscariot, expresses concern over Jesus' ever rising popularity as a "king" and the negative repercussions that it will have (Heaven On Their Minds). Judas' warning falls on deaf ears, as Jesus' followers have their minds set on going to Jerusalem with Jesus. Jesus tells them to stop worrying about the future since whatever will happen is already predetermined by fate (What's The Buzz).

Judas expresses concern over the fact that Jesus is associating himself with Mary, whom he believes is a concubine. Judas says that by associating with her, Jesus is contradicting everything that he says and this, in turn, will be used against him and his followers (Strange Thing Mystifying).

Jesus is clearly pessimistic about the future, but Mary Magdalene tries to assure him that everything will be alright and attempts to relax him with ointment (Everything's Alright).

Meanwhile, Caiaphas and other high-ranking proud Jewish priests meet to discuss Jesus and his movement. As all of the priests attempt to solve the problem of Jesus and his followers, Caiaphas states that the only real solution is to kill Jesus (This Jesus Must Die).

As Jesus and his followers arrive in Jerusalem, they are confronted by Caiaphas, who demands that Jesus disband them. However, Jesus replies that putting an end to the hysteria is impossible (Hosanna). Afterwards, Jesus is approached by his apostle Simon Zealotes. Realizing the popularity that Jesus has attained, Simon suggests that he (Jesus) lead his mob in a war against Rome and gain absolute power (Simon Zealotes). But Jesus vehemently rejects this suggestion, stating that none of his followers understand what true power is nor do they understand his true message (Poor Jerusalem).

Meanwhile, Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea, reveals a dream that he had. The dream foretells his meeting with Jesus and the aftermath of Jesus' death, whereby Pilate receives all of the blame. However, Pilate is not entirely clear of the meaning of his dream (Pilate's Dream).

Jesus arrives at the temple in Jeruselem and finds that it is being used for selling everything from weapons to prostitutes, and drugs. When Jesus arrives, he is furious and demands that the merchants and money changers leave the temple (The Temple).

After the mob leaves, Mary Magdalene finds Jesus upset. Mary tells him to rest. (Everything's Alright-Reprise) While Jesus is asleep, Mary reflects on the fact that while she is in love with Jesus, he is unlike any man that she has loved before. As a result, Mary does not know how to cope with her feelings (I Don't Know How To Love Him).

Meanwhile, Judas worries more and more about Jesus' ever growing movement. Not knowing what to do, Judas secretly visits the high priests. Judas pleads for them to help him think of a solution, provided that it does not condemn him (Damned For All Time).

Judas decides that it would be better to turn Jesus in before his movement gets any bigger, which would thus lead to the deaths of not only him, but all of his followers as well. Thus, to save the thousands of followers and himself, Judas reveals that on Thursday night, Jesus of Nazareth will be at the garden of Gethsemane (Blood Money).

On Thursday, Jesus meets with his twelve apostles for the Last Supper. Jesus realizes, unbeknownst to the apostles, that this will be his last supper with them. As Jesus passes bread and pours wine for his dining partners, he reminds them that they should remember him during supper by thinking of the wine as his blood and the bread as his body. Upon reflection, however, Jesus recognizes that up to this point, none of his followers have truly understood him or his true message of love. Jesus then reveals that Peter will be the one who denies him, not once, but three times. Judas then reveals himself as the person who will make the betrayal, but to his and everyone's surprise, Jesus allows him to go. Judas attempts to explain why he will do it, but Jesus refuses to listen. This makes Judas angry and he blames Jesus for all the trouble that has occurred up until this point. Upset, Judas leaves to find the police and bring them to Jesus (The Last Supper).

Jesus recognizes that he cannot go against God's divine plan-- whether he knows what his death will mean or not-- and agrees to die in accordance with the plan (Gethsemane). Judas arrives with the police and, in order to point Jesus out to them, kisses him on the cheek.

Afterwards, Jesus gets arrested. As his apostles wake up, they attempt to fight the authorities in order to free their messiah, but Jesus asks them to put their swords away and let the authorities take him to Caiaphas. As the police take him to Caiaphas, a mob of newsreporters ask Jesus what he will do but Jesus declines to comment. When Jesus meets with Caiaphas, Caiaphas asks if he is the son of God. Jesus responds that he never said that about himself, but was only called that by others. However, this answer provides enough justification for the high priests to send Jesus to Pontius Pilate (The Arrest).

Meanwhile, Jesus' apostle Peter is confronted by an old man, a soldier, and a maid by a fire. Each state that they remember seeing him with Jesus, but to all three people, Peter denies that he knows him. (Peter's Denial).

When Jesus is brought to Pilate, Pilate mocks him. When Pilate asks Jesus if he is the son of God, Jesus gives Pilate the same answer that he gave Caiaphas; "That's what you say." Pilate is unsatisfied with his answer, but eventually comments that since Jesus is from Galilee he is not under his jurisdiction, and sends him to King Herod (Pilate and Christ).

King Herod has heard all the hype about Jesus and is excited to finally meet him. But Herod becomes frustrated when Jesus opts to not demonstrate his alleged supernatural powers. Herod decides that Jesus is just another phony messiah and does not even want to take the time to prosecute him. Herod sends him back to Pilate (King Herod's Song).

In a scene added for the Broadway production, the apostles and Mary Magdalene wistfully remember the beginnings of their movement and solemnly wish that they could just start over (Could We Start Again Please?).

At this point, Judas has seen Jesus, beaten and battered by the authorities. Judas, now feeling extreme guilt, meets again with the high priests and expresses regret over what he has done. As Judas is left alone, he feels betrayed by God for having chose him, within the divine plan, to be the one to betray Jesus. Judas blames God for murdering him and hangs himself (Judas' Death).

Jesus is brought back to Pilate for his trial. Reluctant to kill Jesus, Pilate attempts to satisfy the crowd's bloodlust by flogging him. After 39 lashes, however, the crowd is still unsatisfied. At this point, Jesus is so badly beaten that even Pilate is starting to feel guilt. Hoping that he can somehow free Jesus, Pilate pleads with him to defend himself. But once again, Jesus refrains from any such defense. With the crowd screaming for Jesus' crucifixion and with Jesus refusing to give a reason for Pilate not to kill him, Pilate reluctantly agrees to crucify him. However, Pilate does not hold himself responsible and washes the blood off of his hands (Trial Before Pilate).

As Jesus prepares to be crucified, he is met by the spirit of Judas. Judas questions why Jesus chose to arrive in the manner that he did and if what happened to him was really part of a divine plan (Superstar).

Jesus slowly dies on the cross (The Crucifixion). The play ends with an orchestral piece, "John 19:41". The title is a reference to a verse in the Bible about Jesus being laid in the tomb (Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid --John 19:41).

A Christmas Carol (Broadway) - Fall 2009

Book By: Lynn Ahrens and Mike Ockrent

Music By: Alan Menken

Lyrics By: Lynn Ahrens

The Story by Charles Dickens

A Brief History:

Charles Dickens' classic gets the full Broadway treatment in Alan Menken’s-Lynn Ahrens’-Mike Okrent's adaptation of A Christmas Carol. This is the version that leaves New Yorkers and tourists alike gasping in wonder and merriment every year as the story unfolds on the stage at Madison Square Garden. In 2004, this version became the basis of a NBC television spectacular featuring Kelsey Grammer as Scrooge, surrounded by an array of stars including Jason Alexander, Jesse L. Martin, Jane Krakowski, Geraldine Chaplin, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ruthie Henshall. Alan Menken (Little Shop Of Horrors) and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime The Musical, Once On This Island) have collaborated on a score that is filled with beautiful melodies and emotional lyrics. Their song "A Place Called Home" has become a holiday standard.

Show synoposis:

Welcome to the world of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, a story we all know and love which is now set to music that soars with love, emotion, and joy for the feelings of Christmas we carry with us all the year round. Ebenezer Scrooge learns his lesson of love through song and dance—a lesson we should not forget at any time of the year.

The musical opens at the Royal Exchange with the “London Town Carol” singing of the bells and lamps aglow. Christmas is near and all are awaiting the early close of the Exchange so the holiday can officially start. Everyone: bankers, people rich and poor are wishing each other “A Jolly Good Time” knowing that they will all have a jolly good time tonight. Mr. Smythe and his daughter, Grace, enter looking for Ebenezer Scrooge hoping for his sympathy by giving them a bit more time to pay him their debt. Scrooge enters with his clerk Bob Cratchit who Scrooge is sure will want to take advantage of him by taking Christmas day off. Mr. Smythe approaches Scrooge to ask for more time to pay since he needs money for his wife’s funeral. Scrooge replies to Grace, “You’ll learn soon enough, child, that Christmas is a HUMBUG!”

When asked for charity for the poor, Scrooge replies,”…Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?” Scrooge believes that charity has “Nothing To Do With Me.”

Cratchit tells him about his sickly youngest son, Tiny Tim, but Scrooge pays little mind to him as he complains about being taken advantage of.

On the streets of London we meet some of the denizens of the city. There is the sandwich board man, a blind old hag, and a lamplighter among them (all of whom we will meet again when Scrooge starts his nocturnal trip through Christmas past, present, and future). We travel to Cratchit’s humble home and Bob and Tim are off to buy the makings of their Christmas feast. Bob tells Tim that “You Mean More To Me” than anything. Meanwhile Scrooge meets his nephew Fred who invites him for Christmas dinner. Scrooge has never dealt with the death of his sister giving birth to Fred and hasn’t yet met Fred’s wife, Sally. Fred assures his uncle he wants nothing from him but Scrooge sends him on his way.

Scrooge meets the sandwich board man and the lamplighter who warn him it is later than he thinks and he will be sorry when he looks back. When he refuses to give the blind old hag alms she tells him that there are none so blind as those who will not see.

When he arrives at his home he sees the face of his deceased partner, Jacob Marley. Later in his parlor, the ghost of Marley confronts him bound in chains that he, himself, forged “Link By Link” during the course of his life. Marley tells Scrooge to “unlock your heart. It’s not too late! Or you’ll be dragging something more than twice this weight.” Marley tells Scrooge that he will be visited by three ghosts. At one it will be the ghost of Christmas past, at two the ghost of Christmas present, and at three the ghost of Christmas yet to be. “Three ghosts who yet may stop you ending up like me…” Marley leaves after a chorus of ghosts tells Scrooge he is forging his chain link by link.

Scrooge, in his bedroom, is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past (who looks remarkably like the lamplighter). The ghost sings of “The Lights of Long Ago” and shows Scrooge scenes from his past: his father being taken to jail for non-payment of debts and the separation from his mother and his beloved sister, Fan. His father’s last words are to save his pennies and make his fortune and save it. Next we see Scrooge at twelve saving every cent he earns. The young boy writes to Fan and dreams of “A Place Called Home” but Fan will die giving birth to Fred. Next we see another scene from the past where Scrooge sees how loving people can be at “Mr. Fezziwig’s Annual Christmas Ball”. Scrooge realizes that an employer can make his workers happy and while the festivities continue the young Ebenezer proposes to Emily singing “A Place Called Home”.

Scroooge starts his partnership with Marley and they begin to forge the chain that will bind them so many years later. They turn on Fezziwig and demand he repay his monetary debt to them and later Emily, neglected and loved second to his gold, breaks off her engagement with Ebenezer.

Left desolate and alone by the vanquished ghost, Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Present who resembles the sandwich board man. The ghost sings to Scrooge, “the present’s full of pleasures! Things to see enjoy and taste! And at Christmas, no one measures, his wallet or his waist!” And while singing of abundance, charity, and good will, the ghost whisks Scrooge off to Bob Cratchet’s house where the family all sing of “Christmas Together.” It is only now that Scrooge sees that Tiny Tim is ill even though Bob had told him earlier. A visit to Fred’s house is next where his not present Uncle is toasted and finally all of London sings a song celebrating that love, friendship, and family are together at Christmas, “together. All over, The earth”. The spirit shows Scrooge how fragile Tim is and then shows Scrooge two children in a desperate state in great need: they are ignorance and want, and that ignorance will be mankind’s doom. When asked if Tiny Tim will live, Scrooge is told that if the shadows remain unaltered by the future, the child will die.

As Scrooge desperately asks what he can do to change the future he is whisked to St. Paul’s graveyard where gravediggers are digging a grave and male monks sing of people never saved who will be dancing on Scrooge’s grave. Scrooge says to the last ghost “Tear me into shreds and re-create me! Tell me that it’s not too late to learn!”

Scrooge then sees a corpse unceremoniously dumped from its bed while the undertakers strip the body of its clothes and bedclothes singing that he “wasn’t worth your spit while he was still around. But just look how much he’s worth now that he’s dead.” At the graveyard again, Scrooge sees the Cratchit family grieving over the grave of Tiny Tim and seeing his own name on a gravestone, Scrooge begins to understand (“Yesterday, Tomorrow and Today”). He tells the spirit, “I can see a future full of beauty, And my spirit starts to fly! I can change the world, yes, it’s my duty! God forgive me! Let me try!”

It is now Christmas morning and Scrooge is chastened by his night’s adventures. He give a young boy money to buy a prize turkey and deliver it to the Cratchet’s house and in a reprise of “Nothing To Do With Me”, Scrooge gives charity, forgives Smythe his debt, and, followed by the town’s children, goes out into the audience giving out candies and Christmas crackers to the children in the audience.

Scrooge gives the prize turkey to the Cratchet’s and promises to raise Bob’s salary and endeavor to help his struggling family from now on. Carrying Tiny Tim on his shoulders, Scrooge goes to his nephew’s house hoping to be allowed to come to dinner while Fred and Sally sing, “Welcome home, Uncle Scrooge, Welcome home to family.”

It starts to snow and everyone sings a reprise of “Christmas Together” while all join hands as Tiny Tim says, “And God bless us, every one!” The musical ends with the song, “God Bless Us Every One,” as everyone waits “ ‘Til each child is fed, ‘Til all men are free, ‘Til the world becomes a family…And God bless us every one.”

Ebenezer Scrooge has learned to live with the spirit of Christmas all the year long and with that spirit, the world will be a better place.

Hello, Dolly - Spring 2010

Book By: Michael Stewart

Music and Lyrics By: Jerry Herman

Based on the Play "The Matchmaker" by Thornton Wilder

Brief History :

HELLO, DOLLY! played for 2844 performances on Broadway at the St. James Theatre with Carol Channing in the title role. At the time it was the longest playing Broadway musical. The London production played for 794 performances at the Drury Lane Theatre. The show has been revived several times on Broadway, most recently in 1995 for 116 performances at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, again with Carol Channing as Dolly Levi.

Synopsis :

HELLO, DOLLY! is the story of Mrs. Dolly Levi's efforts to marry Horace Vandergelder, the well-known half-a-millionaire, and send his money circulating among the people like rainwater the way her late husband, Ephraim Levi, taught her. Along the way she also succeeds in matching up the young and beautiful Widow Molloy with Vandergelder's head clerk, Cornelius Hackl; Cornelius' assistant, Barnaby Tucker, with Mrs. Molloy's assistant, Minnie Fay; and the struggling artist, Ambrose Kemper, with Mr. Vandergelder's weeping niece, Ermengarde.

Mrs. Levi tracks Vandergelder to his hay and feed store in Yonkers, then by train back to Mrs. Molloy's hat shop in New York, out into the streets of the city where they are all caught up in the great Fourteenth Street Association Parade, and finally to the most elegant and expensive restaurant in town, the Harmonia Gardens. There, Dolly is greeted by the waiters, cooks, doormen and wine stewards in one of the most famous songs in the history of American musical comedy, Hello, Dolly!

What happens in the end? Dolly gets her man, of course. Even makes him glad she caught him. Dolly leaves the stage at the end of Act II with a wink to the audience as she takes a peep into Vandergelder's bulging cash register, and promises that his fortune will soon be put to good use. She quotes her late husband as she says, "Money, pardon the expression, is like manure. It's not worth a thing unless it's spread around encouraging young things to grow."

HELLO, DOLLY! is an ebullient and irresistible story of the joy of living, glittering with happy songs, shining with loving scenes, alive with the personality of one of the most fabulous characters on the musical stage...Dolly Gallagher Levi!

Classic musical numbers include "Put On Your Sunday Clothes", "Ribbons Down My Back", "Before the Parade Passes By", "Elegance", "It Only Takes A Moment" and "So Long, Dearie".

Oliver - Fall 2010

Music, Lyrics and Book by: Lionel Bart

Produced for the Broadway stage by David Merrick and Donald Albery

Brief History :

OLIVER! was first presented in London, where it played for 2,618 performances at the New Theatre. It played for 774 performances on Broadway at the Imperial and Shubert Theatres starring Georgia Brown and Clive Revill as Nancy and Fagin. It has been revived on Broadway several times, as in 1984 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre, and in London in 1994 at the Palladium starring Jonathan Pryce as Fagin.

Synopsis :

    The curtain opens on the sinister interior of the workhouse with a bare dining table, center stage, where the boys will sit. These pale-faced wretches can be seen peering through the bars of a door at the back. Looming above two curving stairways glows the legend "God Is Love" in rough letters. The door is opened and the boys file to the table and sing "Food, Glorious Food". At the end of the song, the Widow Corney, who runs the workhouse and Mr. Bumble, the parish beadle, enter and a thin gruel is served. Wolfing the meagre fare, the boys hopelessly stack their bowls, but the hapless Oliver approaches Bumble with the entreaty, "Please sir, I want some more." He is instantly subdued. Oliver is locked behind the barred door as the rest of the boys exit upstairs.

     Oliver is brought forward, bag and baggage, and is led off by Bumble who sings the haunting " Boy for Sale". Walking through the streets of London, they arrive at Mr. Sowerberry's, the undertaker. Oliver is "sold" to the undertaker. Alone and frightened and surrounded by coffins on stage, he sings the plaintive "Where Is Love?"

     Oliver runs away the very next morning, and is picked up hungry and tired in the streets by the Artful Dodger who cheers him up with " Consider Yourself". The Dodger leads him through crowded streets to Fagin's kitchen. The boys come in and Fagin himself appears and, with a mock solemn welcome to Oliver, sings the fantastic "You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two". Nancy, Bill Sikes' girl and Bet arrive. The two of them, accompanied by the boys and Fagin, celebrate their way of life in "It's a Fine Life". The action moves to the next morning when Fagin sends the boys off on a pocket-picking expedition, Oliver among them. The stage now displays a city scene and we witness the capture of Oliver, not for picking pockets, but for simply looking guilty.

     In the second act the curtain rises on the "Three Cripples"-an underworld tavern-where Nancy is being encouraged to sing a music hall number, " Oom-Pah-Pah". Fagin's boys pour down the stairs telling of Oliver's apprehension by the police, at the same time revealing that his innocence has been established and that he is presently ensconced in the home of a rich old gentleman. Fearful lest he give away their set-up, Fagin and Sikes dispatch Nancy to get Oliver back.

     Meanwhile, at the home of his new-found benefactor, the erstwhile ragged Oliver has become a well-tailored, well-cared for little lad. Looking out of his bedroom window he observes some passing street vendors crying their wares; he sings "Who Will Buy?" A plea that his good luck and new situation in life will be permanent. However, the moment he sets foot outside his benefactor's house, Oliver is seized and dragged off by Nancy to Fagin's.

     In the next scene Fagin occupies the empty stage and considers going straight in "Reviewing the Situation". Subsequently, Bumble and Mrs. Corney, now uncomfortably married, discover that Oliver is the scion of a rich family. Their scheme to get him back fails and Nancy, regretting her part in the capture of Oliver, plans to return him to his benefactor at night on London Bridge. Fearful of Sikes, she reprises "As Long as He Needs Me". Sikes stalks her and kills her. He grabs Oliver and, after a chase, is himself shot dead. Oliver is restored to his benefactor and Fagin, now without boys, home and money, reprises "Reviewing the Situation"..

Urinetown - Spring 2011

Book by: Greg Kotis

Lyrics by: Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann

Music by: Mark Hollmann

Brief History :

The success of URINETOWN seems as unlikely as the show’s title. The show first premiered at the Fringe Festival in 1999. Word of mouth spread quickly, and the show was picked up for an Off-Broadway run in 2001. The reviews were wildly enthusiastic, and the show was transferred to Broadway’s Henry Miller Theater where it opened on September 20, 2001. It was the first Fringe Festival show to achieve that feat. URINETOWN was nominated for an impressive 10 Tony Awards, winning for Best Book, Score, and direction. The show was still selling well, and had just recouped its $3.7 million dollar investment, when, in early 2004, the producers were suddenly notified that Henry Miller’s Theater would be torn down to make room for a new skyscraper, and the show was ordered to vacate the theater by February of that year. Plans for finding a new home for URINETOWN on Broadway never materialized, and the show was forced to close on January 18, 2004, after 965 performances.

The show premiered in Canada in May of 2006, and a sit-down production is scheduled to begin in Chicago in March of 2006. Also, writers Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis are reportedly developing both a prequel and a sequel to the show

Synopsis :

One of the most uproariously funny musicals in recent years, URINETOWN is a hilarious tale of greed, corruption, love, and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides he's had enough, and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom! Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, URINETOWN 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 catapults the “comedic romp” into the new millennium with its outrageous perspective, wickedly modern wit, and sustained ability to produce gales of unbridled laughter.