Behind the Buzz at Port Summer Show’s Urinetown: Meet the Costume Designers

At rehearsals for Port Summer Show’s Urinetown, there is a lot of activity going on.  On the stage dancers work with the choreographer on a dance number, the orchestra Is rehearsing with the conductor in another room, the musical director works with one of the actors on his solo, and costume fittings are going on.  

Meet Tom Beck and Neil Schleifer who are the costume designers for Urinetown.  In the choir room, which is doubling as a fitting room and costume shop, they are surrounded by racks of costumes,  overflowing tables  of hats and neat piles of vintage ties and bowties.  Tom and Neil deftly handle costume fittings, while enthusiastically working with each young actor.  There is lots of chatter with mini reunions as Tom and Neil greet returning students or they meet younger first year cast members.   Details are shared on how to wear and take care of costumes.  (How do you put on a vintage bow tie? …A learning curve for some young actors, who have never worn one before!)  Questions are asked on the details of who they portray in Urinetown.  “Are you rich or poor?  You’re both? OK, that is two costumes….”  It seems that there are literally hundreds of costumes, accessories, shoes, gloves and wigs (and a large roll of masking tape as each and every costume is labelled!) 

Tom and Neil have been working with Port Summer Show for 4 years.  During the year, they teach at Pelham High School in Westchester.   Their love of costumes and theater and working with youth is evident the minute you meet them!  They have an extensive and impressive resume that includes working on  Phantom of the Opera, coming up with costume plots and ideas on how this mega spectacle musical can be done at the high school level.  They won a National Theater award for their work in this!

If you saw Port Summer Show’s Shrek last year, you will most likely remember the incredible costumes and vibrant color palette that Tom and Neal assembled.  It is interesting to note that when they did Shrek, it was only the second Community Theater Production ever done! 

I asked them what they thought when they first saw Urinetown.  “We first saw it on Broadway and almost died laughing!”  They describe Urinetown as an excellent spoof that has great style, lots from the syrupy 1930’s genre.  Their observation is that this is a very timely piece focusing on the “haves” and “have nots.” Although created 10 years ago, this musical  speaks to environmental issues that remain relevant in today’s world.

I did not need to ask them why they return to Port Washington to work with the Port Summer Show every year, as their passion and joy working with young performers is evident.  They commented, “We love watching young performers grow from novices to some that eventually go on to Broadway.  Kids bring something to the table.  Their work is more organic”

SAVE THE DATE! Urinetown-Winner of three Tony Awards, three Outer Critic’s Circle Awards, two Lucille Lortel Awards, and two Obie Awards, Urinetown is an earnest tale of love, greed, and revolution. Drawing from West Side Story, Chicago, and Les Misérables , the show irreverently pays witty homage to the great American musical theatre tradition. Hilariously funny and touchingly honest, Urinetown provides a fresh perspective on political satire that is good clean fun.

Performance Dates are August 7-9 at 7:30 PM and August 10 at 2:00 PM in the air-conditioned Schreiber High School Auditorium. Tickets are $10, kids 12 and under are $5. (Senior citizens admitted free on August 7.) Please check www.portsummershow.org  for information on presale tickets as last year’s performances sold out.

For information, to buy tickets, or to sponsor the summer show call 516-777-0220, email info@portsummershow.org or visit portsummershow.org.

“Urinetown the musical……it’s not what you “tink”!”