Staff report

Auditions are scheduled in March for Youngstown Playhouse’s main stage production of “Urinetown: the Musical.”

Director Nate Beagle is seeking strong comedic actors, singers and dancers ages 18 and older. Experience in improvisation, stand-up comedy, drag performance, performance art, playing a musical instrument or any special performance skills are a plus but not required.

“Urinetown” is set in a not-so-distant future when private bathrooms have been outlawed because of a 20-year drought. In order to conserve water, citizens must do their private business for a fee at public toilets owned by The Urine Good Company (UGC) Corporation. If citizens fail to comply, the maximum penalty is to be banished to a place called Urinetown.

When the fee to pee is raised, a young dreamer from the poor side of town leads an uprising against UGC’s tyranny so the people can pee for free. The Greg Kotis / Mark Hollmann musical is a satire that parodies authoritarian politics, classism, oligarchy and musical theater itself.

The role of Penelope Pennywise has already been cast. All other roles are open. Those auditioning should prepare a short comedic monologue of their choice and 32 bars (one minute) of a contemporary musical theater song or something in the style of the show. An accompanist will be provided, and auditioners also may use karaoke tracks with no voices. Auditions are scheduled 6 to 9 p.m. March 5 and 6 at the Playhouse, 600 Playhouse Lane. For a full character breakdown and to sign up for an audition slot, visit youngstownplayhouse.org/audition.

If special accommodations are needed to support an audition and / or involvement in the production, email Production Coordinator Caitlyn Santiago at caitlyn@youngstownplayhouse.org before auditions so those accommodations can be arranged.