Urinetown: The Musical

Truth, Hope and Love are more than a just a pipe-dream.

The Show
Urinetown: The Musical is a social and political satire set in a dystopian future where a terrible 20year drought has crippled the citys water supplies. Water is so scarce that the government
enforces a ban on all private toilets in an effort to control water consumption.
GregKotis, author of Urinetown, conceived the original idea after encountering a pay-per-use toilet
whilst travelling in Europe - something that is still a regular concept all over London. He began
writing the award-winning Book shortly after, joining with Mark Hollmann, composer and lyricist.
The original Broadway production of Urinetown was nominated for 10 Tony awards, winning for
best book, score and direction.
The citizens of our story must now use the public, pay-per-use amenities owned and operated by
Urine Good Company (UGC) - a private malevolent corporation run by the corrupt Caldwell B.
Cladwell. Citizens who try to circumvent the peeing-fee by relieving themselves in the bushes risk
being taken away to Urinetown, a mysterious place where many have been sent, never to return.
The oppressed masses huddle in line at the poorest, filthiest urinal in town, Public Amenity #9,
which is run by the rigid, harshly authoritarian Penelope Pennywise and her assistant, dashing
young rebel Bobby Strong. With fee increases in the pipeline, the poor rise up under the leadership
of Bobby to fight the tyrannical regime for the right to make the public amenities free for all to use.
Urinetown is a hilarious and resonating tale of greed, corruption, love, and revolution in a time
when water is worth its weight in gold - painfully relevant and relatable in a society so quick to
waste.
History
Despite the shows apparent lack of accessibility, the musical had quite a quick and simple journey
to Broadway. The first performance was part of the New York Fringe Festival where it was instantly
mounted off-Broadway at the 140 seat American Theatre for Actors. After a two month sellout run
the show transferred to Broadway at the 1055 seat Stephen Sondheim Theatre (formerly Henry
Millers Theatre). There it ran for 965 performances and was nominated for 21 prestigious
American theatre awards, including 3 tony award wins.
Popularity
There is no denying that Urinetown is not at the top of every English theatre goers to see list,
however in the last sixteen years it has taken America by storm and deservedly earned the title of
one of the great cult musicals. In 2014 it was announced that the St. James Theatre (home of the
best new theatre in London) would stage the UK premier of the show in a production directed by
the legendary director Jamie Lloyd. The 10 week run of the show sold out before opening night and
played to five star reviews for the duration, attracting attention from every corner of the theatre
scene. It was announced shortly after the end of the St. James run that the show would open at the
West Ends 775 seat Apollo Theatre in one of the most hotly anticipate transfers in years for a
strictly limited run of 4 months.
The show played to full houses for the majority of the run and received a shower of five star
reviews and critical acclaim from across the board.

Urinetown in Norwich
The most difficult aspect of Urinetown is the title of the show. Its named such deliberately because
the show satirizes the difficulty of selling the show as part of the opening sequence. However, the
title in particular is the reason people talk about this show. Theatre goers are always looking to be
challenged, whilst feeling that they have received value for money. Where this show gets
everything so right is by creating a story so absurd, yet relatable in aspects, that the audience can
be consumed in the humour and the context of the story before they realise that the show is
making a comment on the fact that their way of life is unsustainable.
The best selling point for my proposed production would be that we would presenting the regional
premier of the musical. In my experience people like to see something new and engaging and with
the right publicity this show promises to be both of those things. The show has never toured the UK
professionally and because the rights have only just been released for this musical, its the perfect
opportunity to take advantage of this.

Predicted Production Costs

Until a venue and production dates have been confirmed it is difficult to produce exact production
costs. My estimates are based on a five night run at the Maddermarket Theatre. Predicted income
is based on 70% sales, which is what we average on the Norwich amateur circuit, although the
show played to an average 84% on Broadway.
Revenue
Notes
Ticket Sales

288 seats at 12 x 5

Programmes

250 programmes at 2

Max Income Predicted Income

17280

12096

500

350

17780

12446

Notes

Max Cost

Predicted Costs

Royalties

15% of ticket sales

2704.50

1893.15

Script Hire

Script and Band hire

375

375

Venue Hire

Monday-Saturday hire

2500

2500

Rehearsal Venue

8 week rehearsal, 10 hrs p/w

800

800

Band

5 piece band

1500

1200

Costumes

Discounted costume hire and build

500

500

Set

Balcony extension, trussing, ladders and wagons

1000

1000

Props

Personal Items

50

50

Lighting/FX

Specialist items

200

200

Sound

10 mics, week hire

400

400

Advertising Print

5000 flyers, 50 posters

85

85

Programme Print

250, 16pp a5 brochures

152

152

Wigs

James Webber, stock and custom

200

200

10466.50

9355.15

Expenses

Profit

Upfront

3090.85

3187

Licensing Deposit

500

Venue Deposit

500

Publicity
Upfront Cost

4187

I think the key to selling this musical is to show the versatility in appeal to our audience. To do this I
propose creating not one, but a series of posters that show the breadth of character and themes
that we would portray. As a professional freelance photographer and graphic designer I will be able
to successfully create all PR materials for the show by offsetting the costs meaning we will have
professional graphics for our musical which is the key to selling tickets
I will also be able to use my contacts to create a feature length trailer that can be used on social
media and our website that is currently in development. This proved to really boost ticket sales on
my last production I Love You, Youre Perfect, Now Change. I also have strong links with the
radio, tv and press based in Norwich whom will also be on board to help push the image of our
show.
The Team
I already have a fantastic production team on board to help with the show, all of whom come from a
professional background.
Production Designer: Martin Frost
Martin is the resident duty technician at the Maddermarket with an impressive CV boasting credits
such as Cirque Du Soleil and Disney. He will be using his expertise to design all aspects of the
production including set, costumes and lighting.
Technical Manager: Dave Myers
Dave is also a technician at the Maddermarket with over sixty shows under his belt as stage
manager. Dave will be in charge of organising all aspects of running the show from the backstage
and technical areas.
Choreographer: Daniel Waite
Daniel will have recently completed a nine month contract with P&O cruises when we start
rehearsal for the show and will be sailing again very shortly after the musical closes. As dance
captain for Thresholds production of Hairspray and with a very impressive professional CV, Dan is
more than qualified to choreograph this show.
Director: Dan Smith
Urinetown will be my fifteenth show as director and by far my biggest and most exciting challenge.
Having recently produced the first professional production from Mixed Voice, I am aware of all
aspects of bring a show like this to the stage.
Closing Notes
I truly believe that this musical will be a hit among not only the audiences of Norwich but also the
performers wanting to continue to push themselves in to daring and new projects. With an
overwhelming response already I am confident that every aspect of this project will be a success. I
am looking forward to working with the best production team I have ever assembled to create
something fresh, new and engaging for Truth, Hope and Love are more than a just a pipedream.786