First Parish Players to debut with ‘Urinetown: The Musical’ August 9-12

The stage is set, the curtain is poised to rise and the cast is honed. It’s opening night for the First Parish Players’ debut summer production, Urinetown: The Musical.

Performances are tonight, tomorrow and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at First Parish Unitarian-Universalist in the upper parish hall, 1508 Washington Street in Canton. Tickets are $15 and available at the door.

Conceived and created from the ground up, the idea to present a quality musical for performers ages 16-25 began in January with no money, costumes, set, name or venue. What they did have, however, was the drive and determination to “put on a show,” and as audience members will see this weekend, they’ve surpassed expectations.

“Being a part of Urinetown has been one of the most challenging and one of the best learning experiences I have ever had,” said Katy Sheehan, a 2012 graduate of Canton High School. “I grew up in this church, and I finally get to see this stage used.”

Sheehan recently performed at CHS as Queen Aggravain in Once upon a Mattress. She will attend the University of Rhode Island this fall, studying music education.

Sheehan joins fellow CHS graduates Amanda Berman (’09), Kevin Fortin (’09) and Willow Jayne Anderson (’10) in a cast of 18, all of whom hail from surrounding towns. The entire ensemble has a wide range of music and theatre experience. Many are pursuing performing arts in college.

“Getting to perform a show with so many talented people whom I love in this community means the world to me,” said Anderson, “especially as someone working toward a profession in theatre. It’s such a great opportunity for us to have.”

The troupe chose to ask the Parish Board for use of their Victorian hall, which houses a stage, has resounding acoustics and ample room for an audience. The board approved and named the theatre project First Parish Players. The cast, crew and production members undertook grassroots fundraising endeavors, including car washes, a clothing sale, a large yard sale, a performers’ showcase, and a spectacular masquerade ball. Support from local volunteers helped make the dream a reality.

“It is a distinct honor to work with such talented students,” said director Caitlyn McKiernan. “I have always appreciated art in the community and value the true skill these people have devoted to Canton and their fellow actors. They’re nothing short of role models for younger students.”

A smash hit on Broadway in the wake of its debut in 2000, Urinetown received two Tony Awards and a loyal following. Its synopsis is comical and grim, with a budding romance and thought-provoking social commentary on economics, corporate greed, ethics and poverty.

In an attempt to police water consumption following a two-decade drought, Urinetown has outlawed the use of private toilets. The citizens must use public, pay-per-use facilities owned and operated by Urine Good Company, a malicious corporation commanded by the unscrupulous Caldwell B. Cladwell, played by Fortin.

An upcoming senior at Ithaca College, Fortin said, “This show has given me the opportunity to perform with people my own age as well as make friends from other communities that I may have never met otherwise.”

Lindsey Seaman, 23, graduated from the University of Connecticut this past spring. She and her family have attended First Parish her entire life. “I am excited to be a part of First Parish Players’ premiere show,” Seaman said. “I thank my friends, family and my First Parish UU Canton family for their continued love and support.”

“Lindsey has never sung an alto part wrong,” praised music director Jose Merlo, “and Amanda Berman can sing her face off!”

Producer Liz Cole Sheehan explained, “We started with an empty space and a summer filled with nothing fun to do. We had a few friends who enjoy theatre. We found a director. We found a show. We found a beginning. A wish becomes a decision to act and ideas become reality.”

“Success of this theatre project holds great potential,” said Sheehan. “We have within ourselves a need for interaction and social engagement. We all benefit from sharing responsibility for what makes our communities great.”

Who says there is nothing to do in Canton?

Submitted by Kathryn Maurin

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