Urinetown, the Musical, Opens Thursday at Danbury HS

Danbury High School students burst upon the stage in the unlikely named hit, Urinetown. With a cast and crew of about 80 of Danbury's teens, the exuberant backstage energy is perfectly channelled into big song and dance numbers in a show featuring major themes of corporate greed, poverty, and rebel uprisings.

 This is the nineteenth show that Communication Arts teacher Cindy Nejame has directed at DHS. “This show has such a strong message and the students have really responded to that. Our credo is that it is about the process, and even for students not in principal roles, we have had kids who have been in the ensemble for four years, it is truly wonderful to see their growth.”

 Many of the students have never done a show before. Greg LaPine plays the part of the evil and greedy Caldwell B. Cladwell, who exploits the poor. Due to a twenty year drought, urinating has become a citywide issue and residents must pay to pee. Cladwell seeks to raise the fee and many of the local poor cannot afford to pay. Those who seek to relieve themselves illegally are hauled off to Urinetown, the place from which no one has ever returned.

 “I've never done a play before, and it's been a crazy experience,” said LaPine. “It's been much different than I thought it would be, in a lot of cool ways.”

 The character of Officer Lockstock is played by Bennett Cognato, who said, “I have played in the orchestra for the last two years, and Ms. Niz (Cindy NeJame) told me I should be in the play this year. Little did I know it would be so crazy! There is so much singing, and the harmonies and dancing!”

 Smiling broadly, Cognato added, “I get to work with the best kids in the school!”

 This is Holly Sorrells second year and she agrees with Cognato. “You spend so much time with all of these people, they become your family. It's our home away from home.”

 Some of the students have more extensive backgrounds in theatre. Brianna Henley plays the part of Hope, the daughter of Cladwell who discovers the good life she has been living is a lie.  Henley has  appeared in shows in Bridgeport and at Richter.  This is her third show at DHS.  

Henley described her character with both affection and disdain.  “I love Hope. She is so naive, even stupid. But she meets Bobby Strong, and there is a lot of satire in their relationship. She is so in her own world, but even so, she believes everyone has a heart.”

 On Wednesday night, backstage was controlled chaos during the last dress rehearsal before the show opens today. Students were backed into corners as enormous sets were moved into place and techies ran on and off with scenery changes. Markis Baskin, who plays one of the rich people, said, “It's so much fun, it's such an amazing experience. I opened up and learned to express myself in so many different ways.”

 NeJame believes that the theatre department is integral to the school. “I think it contributes greatly to the culture of Danbury.  Our students are passionate. We are Part 1 of the heartbeat of DHS.”

In these times of cutbacks, many wonder if the theatre department could be threatened, but according to NeJame, DHS only pays a few thousand for royalties and a couple of stipends. The sets, light rental, sound, body mikes, and many outside professionals who come in to work with the students are covered by outside funding.

 Justin Morgan, the show's Technical Director was student at DHS, and now teaches Tech Ed at the school. “I love giving back to school I graduated from. I worked on hundreds and hundreds of shows before teaching here, and I love working with the kids. We have a lot of young students in this show this year, so it has been very exciting.”

 Tickets are available at the theatre, $8 for students and $10 for adults, with shows Thursday night at 7 pm, and Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm.