GreenMan Theatre In Elmhurst Announces Cast for Fall Production

ELMHURST, IL — The GreenMan Theatre in Elmhurst has announced the cast for its first production of the 2017-18 season; "Urinetown: The Musical." Urinetown will run four weekends at GreenMan’s performance space in Elmhurst at 232 S. York St. The production opens Friday, Sept. 22 and closes Oct. 15. The theatre said performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for students and seniors.

"Urinetown: The Musical" premiered in 2001 and was nominated for best musical in 2002. The show, written by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, parodies specific musicals and musical styles with its satire of big business, social irresponsibility, populism, and government bureaucracy. According to the release, the show is about a terrible water shortage, caused by a historic drought, and private toilets have been banned. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity’s most basic needs.

The theatre said the head of the evil corporation is Caldwell B. Cladwell, who is played by William T. Smith of Bolingbrook. Benedict L. Slabik II of Lombard plays Bobby Strong, who finds the courage to oppose Cladwell. Complicating matters, Bobby falls in love with Cladwell’s daughter, Hope Cladwell, played by Heather Pauliks of Wheaton. Narrating the action for the audience is Officer Lockstock, played by Jim Stahulak of Downers Grove and Little Sally, played by Samantha Sieghart of Morton Grove.

Also in the cast, from Addison are Kimi Arquines, Steven Krage and Alexander R. Wellington. Amy Bamberger, Madison Seabrook, and Gregory Winston are all cast members from Chicago. Additional cast members include Galen Malick of Bartlett, Bobby Alexander of Bolingbrook, Zach Gibson of Glen Ellyn, Katie Soria of Lombard, and Dan Dick of Wheaton. Craig Gustafson of Lombard directs the production. Jim Stahulak is the music director; Jacqueline Schultz is the choreographer; Becca Easley is the assistant director and sound designer; Amy Johnson is the stage manager. Other designers on the production are Ben Vargas, costumes, and Jim Ocasek, set and lights. Urinetown: The Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

According to a release, GreenMan Theatre Troupe is a nonprofit 501[c]3 organization whose mission is to provide a source of cultural enrichment and pride for the community by presenting diverse, quality productions and providing opportunities for personal growth in the theatrical arts. GreenMan has been presenting plays in Elmhurst since being founded in 2003.

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