This spring, the Drexel Theatre Program is presenting its rendition of “Urinetown: The Musical.” The show opened on May 9 and will continue to run through May 17 at the Mandell Theater. The musical is a witty satire that explores themes of authoritarianism, corporate greed, environmental degradation and civil resistance—all cloaked in humor and theatrical irony. Although “Urinetown” was written in 2001, its relevance is especially pronounced in the current presidential administration, serving as both a mirror and a warning.
“Urinetown” dramatizes a society where private corporations, backed by government enforcement, control a basic human need: access to public restrooms. In this dystopian world, environmental collapse has justified extreme measures, and citizens must pay to use public facilities. The musical warns about the risks of turning basic needs into products for profit and how easily government power can be influenced or taken over by businesses.
Throughout the show, the students’ energetic and passionate performances are captivating. Despite the musical’s runtime exceeding two hours, the cast maintains an impressive level of engagement and momentum, ensuring the audience remains fully immersed from start to finish. Remarkably, even characters with minimal spoken lines possess distinct and memorable personalities, brought to life through expressive body language, facial expressions and consistent character work. By the final curtain, each performer has made a lasting impression. The transitions between the vibrant musical numbers and the dynamic, often witty dialogue are seamless, with no scene feeling drawn out or misplaced.
The casting choices appear especially thoughtful and strategic; each actor embodies their role so convincingly that it becomes easy to forget they are performing, despite the narrator’s periodic reminders that the story exists within a fictional musical framework. The duo of Officer Lockstock and Officer Barrel—the law enforcement figures who serve the interests of the private corporation controlling the city’s public amenities—stand out as particularly talented performers. Their comedic timing and chemistry create a consistently hilarious stage dynamic that keeps the audience engaged and laughing out loud, even when the subject matter veers into darker territory. Additionally, the actor portraying the assistant to the boss of the evil corporation delivers an outstanding performance. He fully embodies his character, maintaining an unwavering commitment to the role—even in the final moments before exiting the stage. The cast of “Urinetown” demonstrated an impressive level of commitment to their roles, which played a crucial part in the overall success of the production.
Throughout the show, the experiences of the characters encourage audiences to question who benefits from policy decisions, how narratives of “public good” can obscure exploitation and what is at risk of happening when people are pushed past their breaking point. The animated performances of the actors in the Drexel Theatre Program’s production of “Urinetown” highlight the fragility of rights, the risks of complacency and the power of collective resistance—making this musical as relevant now as ever.