‘Urinetown’ aims to make you smile

The cast of 3B Productions' presentation of 'Urinetown the Musical' rehearses for shows today through Sunday at the Maumee Indoor Theater.

A town is up in arms over having to pay to urinate in public toilets this weekend when 3B Productions presents Urinetown the Musical at Maumee Indoor Theater.

“In a grim, post-apocalyptic world water is in short supply,” said director Joe Barton. Private bathroom use is outlawed and “one company owns the rights to all the world's water, the Urine Good Company... Everyone must ‘pay to pee’ and must use a public amenity,” he said.

This comedic satire opened on Broadway in September, 2001, and closed in January, 2004, after 965 performances. It won three 2002 Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Musical Score, and Best Direction of a Musical.

“The script is very funny and very clever. It also is an homage to many musicals both current and traditional,” Barton said. He's seen the show elsewhere three times and is excited to be directing it for 3B.

The cast includes Tim Bruno as Caldwell B. Cladwell, owner of the Urine Company; Sarah Pettee as Hope Cladwell, his daughter; Joel Logsdon as Officer Lockstock, a policeman; Mary Anne Buckley as Little Sally, a street urchin, and Jeremy Davis as Bobby Strong, assistant urinal custodian. Also in the cast are Stephanie Stephan-Dennehy, Don Wachowiak, Tyler Strayer, and Steven Allen.

Barton says he is having a blast at rehearsals. “Every character has been written to be a total stereotype of the musical theater genre and it allows the actors to make big choices. Every night something new happens and everyone cracks up. It is a great, fun, talented cast and they are all bringing their ‘A’ game which, as a director, makes me very happy. If you don't leave this show with a huge smile on your face, I don't know what will make you smile or laugh.”

“Urinetown the Musical” will be performed at 8 p.m. today, Friday, and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Maumee Indoor Theater, 601 Conant St., Maumee. Tickets are $15 for preferred seating, $13 for adults, and $11 for seniors and students. They can be purchased at the door or in advance. Information: 419-865-5533 or 3bproductions.org.

Film tour

LIMA, Ohio — Superheroes will be here Friday as the Northwest Ohio Film Foundation hosts its second of six screenings in its Grand Prix Tour at different Lima venues through Aug. 30.

This HBO documentary, produced by Wapakoneta, Ohio, native Theodore James, celebrates real-life superheroes and will be shown at Alter Ego Comics, 230 N. Main St. A panel of comic experts will discuss the film after the viewing.

Things I Don't Understand will be shown June 1 at Gilbert's Music and Groamy's CD's and Tapes, 1206 W. Robb Ave. Director David Spaltro will be available for discussion following the film. The Selling will be shown June 29 at Milano Cafe, 2383 Elida Rd. The Hipnotix, a Lima-based band, will perform after the screening.

The series continues on July 27 when The Wonderland Express and Mowing Through Misery will be shown at the Met, 306 N. Main St. Directors and cast members will be in attendance. The Limaland Comedy troupe will perform before the Aug. 30 viewing of Pretty Little Things at Vino Bellissimo, 743 Shawnee Rd.

Proceeds from the Grand Prix will benefit the third annual Northwest Ohio Independent Film Festival in downtown Lima Sept. 19-22. All screenings will be at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for each film. Information: 419-979-9692.

Please send theater items at least two weeks in advance to jnjaim@theblade.com