Edina Thespians Deliver 'Silliest Musical Ever'

When Talia Edelheit’s mother first heard the name of the fall musical, she was surprised, as someone well-versed in musical theater, that she was unfamiliar with it. 

"You’re in Town? Interesting," she said. "I’ve never heard of You’re in Town."

Edelheit, who plays Penny Pennywise in the production opening tonight at the Edina Performing Arts Center, had to correct her. The name of the show is, alas, not You’re in Town but the somewhat less sunny and inviting Urinetown. 

Playing with Satire

A satire, Urinetown pokes fun at musical theater in general and several well known shows in particular, including Fiddler on the Roof and Les Miserables. The Edina Thespians have taken this opportunity to show they don’t take themselves too seriously either, even reusing some props from past, more conventional shows, (look for a familiar shooting star during the performance), and hanging promotional signs that promise the show will make you “laugh until you...er, laugh your head off.” 

James Neville, a senior with a long history in the theater program, plays Officer Lockstock, the show’s narrator. Neville explained the tricky thing about live satire is knowing how to relate to the audience.

“You have to acknowledge that you’re doing a satire,” Neville said. “So you have to be in on the joke and you have to show the audience that you’re in on the joke...It just adds a different aspect because you’re including the audience a lot more in the jokes.”  

Sacrificing for Urinetown

Two of Urinetown’s performers have put other passions on hold to be part of the show’s tight-knit cast. 

Natalie Lovdal gave up fall dance line for the opportunity. And while she’ll return to the dance team in the winter, she has no regrets when it comes to her fall commitment.

"I really love this experience," she said. "I’m so glad I decided to do this."

Senior Max Jones, who plays Senator Fipp, is skipping football this season for his third stint on stage with the Edina Thespians. A singer since he was a child, Jones said his true love is rugby, so he won’t be auditioning for the spring show—meaning Urinetown may be his final theater experience. Or, it may not.  

"This might be my last show," Jones said, "Unless I try out for the winter play, which I’m thinking about doing. And I might do a May term project."

See the 'Silliest Musical Ever'

A relatively short show (under two hours) with a large cast (45 students), director Tony Matthes calls Urinetown “the silliest musical ever” when it comes to parody.

Check it out yourself and see if you agree with his assessment. The show opened, Friday, Oct. 28, at the Edina Performing Arts Center, with additional performances slated for Nov. 3-5.

If You Go:

What: Urinetown

When: Oct. 28, 29 at 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 3–5 at 7:30 p.m.; Matinee Nov. 5 at 1:30 p.m.

Where: Edina Performing Arts Center, , 6754 Valley View Road, Edina 

Cost: Adults, $8; Students and Seniors, $6