It’s a privilege to pee. Could you imagine having to pay every time you need to use the bathroom? If you pee on the street, you get sent off to Urinetown. What is Urinetown, you ask? You’ll have to watch Marblehead High School’s show to find out.
Urinetown was one heck of a production… Being part of the cast, I can tell you was an interesting experience. I didn’t know what to expect at all, so the overarching product was surprising. While many technical difficulties occurred, let’s be honest, it wasn’t bad for Zoom theater. I was incredibly impressed by the fact that it actually worked! People stayed in character and brought forth tons of energy to the screen. It was definitely awkward and different to be acting in your room alone, in front of a screen, but everyone committed to getting themselves out there.
Looking at the actors’ faces on the screen, you could tell that everyone was dedicated, putting hard work into every word and action. Bobby Strong’s performance, portrayed by senior Griffin Homan, specifically stood out to me. He put so much thought and emotion into each line and sang through every note flawlessly, blowing me away. Hope Cladwell and Mr. Cladwell’s performances, presented by junior Audrey Jones and senior Nick Williams, were also extremely captivating. In multiple instances, Hope would be tied up, rag in mouth, speechless, yet still on camera. Not once did Audrey break character. Her eyes were constantly on fire, reacting to what others were saying and engaging the audience. Nick’s energy and facial expressions, especially with the use of eyebrows, were outstanding as well. Junior Kate Tucker, playing the role of Miss Pennywise, stunned me with her vocals, specifically with the high notes. And we surely can’t forget the ensemble. Without them, the production wouldn’t be complete!
I am so glad that I took time out of my day to watch this extravagant performance. The musical numbers kept me up and dancing; the jokes slipped through each line kept me on the edge of my seat. The visuals, while not what I expected, kept me constantly engaged. The fact that so much energy came from a bunch of kids behind a screen is astounding.
In times like these, it is important to realize that things are still happening. We can make music and make people laugh, even if it is through a computer screen. Maybe the product wasn’t perfect, but it was something to look forward to. Being part of a production is such a blast, and it was obviously different this year, but we still got a memory to hold on to. I mean, not many could say that they’ve been part of, or even seen a Zoom musical. As Ms. Frigon wonderfully said to the cast, “Let this show be a light in our time of struggle.”