By Victoria Dolan

This weekend, Hull High School Theatre Arts will present its funny, family-friendly fall musical, “Urinetown.”

“Urinetown” is a comedic musical set in a world where a drought forces inhabitants to “pay to pee” to conserve water. Against this backdrop, a love story and a tale of revolution unfolds. For theatre lovers, there’s another underlying theme: Urinetown is designed to parody classic Broadway tropes.

“This is just supposed to be a funny way of celebrating everything you see on Broadway,” said HHSTA and Urinetown Co-Director Erin O’Donnell.
Sister and Co-Director Emily O’Donnell noted that “this show is not supposed to be serious, and I think that’s what people need – to sit down and watch something that’s not serious.”

Above all else, Urinetown is a show for the family.

“Everyone, no matter what age, can enjoy the show,” said Emily. “Everyone can come and enjoy theatre as what it’s supposed to be, which is just a good time.”

However, while the main goal of the show may be to entertain, there’s an important underlying message.

“The show is mainly about love, but it’s also about fighting for what you believe is right,” which is “very relevant for today’s society,” said Emily.
This is Emily and Erin O’Donnell’s third year directing the school’s theater program, and it will be their second musical with HHSTA. After a long gap because of COVID19, this means it also many of the students’ second time participating in a musical. This provided a unique challenge, as there were “a lot of newbies who had to learn what it means to be in a ‘big-kid’ show,” explained Erin.

Another obstacle to overcome was “teaching kids it’s OK to embarrass themselves,” said Emily, who prioritized “getting everybody to let go, and not be so serious when they’re onstage.”

Hopefully, the hard work will pay off on opening night. Erin has already seen promising signs, such as at a strong sitzprobe, a rehearsal where students sang along with the orchestra providing live music.

“The most rewarding part will be seeing the audience laugh,” said Emily. “I’ve laughed [while watching the show], so hopefully they’ll laugh.”

HHSTA will perform “Urinetown: The Musical” at the high school on Friday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door or online at www.showtix4u.com/event-details/76853.

Victoria Dolan is The Hull Times school correspondent. This column reflects her student viewpoint.

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