Kirkwood Community College presents its 2025 fall musical, “Urinetown: The Musical”, a campy comedy about a 20-year drought-induced water shortage, leading to a government-enforced ban on private toilets.
Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann bring their writing and musical talents together to satirize the justice system, bureaucracy, capitalism, social and environmental ethics, corporate mismanagement and municipal politics. From detailed costumes and set design to long rehearsals, it’s not often that people see the amount of work and effort that goes into putting musicals together.
Well before the curtains reveal the theatre department’s urine-themed spectacle, each of the designers — lighting, costume and set — make a progress presentation modeling a rough draft of their vision of the lighting, costumes and set.
Their rehearsals start with the cast learning lines and music before moving on to choreography, first without singing, and eventually bringing the show to life. In some cases, the cast is split and practices separately; one group may go sing for its scene while the other learns accompanying choreography.
Many of the cast members are in the theatre tech lab class, where they learn how to build the sets and make the costumes required to bring the show to the stage. The class gives students experience they may not have sought out otherwise. “I’ve never really worked behind the scenes very much. I’ve helped paint some sets, but not from the beginning, you know?” said Nina Torkelson, cast member and student in the theatre tech lab.
Valuing the mental health of the cast, the department has been working closely with an intimacy and mental health coordinator. The coordinator has helped with the more tender moments in the show including instances of physical touch such as hugs and kisses, as well as helping students develop boundary setting skills. “She’s just been working with us on being more open about having boundaries and reminding us that just because you’re an actor, doesn’t mean you have to give those up, and boundaries can change,” Eloise Prince said.
Torkelson added, “It’s a good, healthy practice, especially to normalize for young people, to know that you can advocate for yourself, and it’s OK to just not want to do something.”
This Halloween, urine for a treat. “Urinetown: The Musical” opens Oct. 31 and runs through Nov. 8. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., with the exception of a 2 p.m. show on Nov. 2, in Ballantyne Auditorium, located on the first floor of Iowa Hall.
Tickets are $10 general admission, $5 students and seniors, and free to all Kirkwood students, faculty and staff with a valid EagleCard.
Categories: Art & Life, Theatre
