Urinetown
at Anaheim

Reviewed on February 16, 2018

NameSchoolPublication/Broadcasts
Los Alamitos
Orange County Register
Tesoro
OC Cappies Facebook
El Dorado
OC Cappies Facebook



Candler Cusato
Los Alamitos

Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Hope Overflows in Anaheim's "Urinetown"
written by Candler Cusato, a senior at Los Alamitos High School

When a devastating water shortage limits toilet usage to those who can pay and the police force ships the poor off to the mysterious "Urinetown" for punishment, Bobby Strong finds the strength to speak out against injustice. He finds a glimmer of hope in the form of Hope Cladwell, the only daughter of the formidable corporation's CEO. In this unconventional tale of star-crossed lovers, Anaheim combines clear comedic elements with unparalleled emotion, crafting an entertaining but thought-provoking exposé into corporate control.

In her portrayal of Hope Cladwell, Victoria Ahuatzi showcases her character's growing confidence through distinct changes in her posturing and demeanor, making her a force to be reckoned with onstage. Seamlessly transitioning from skipping and playing with items in her father's office like a child to commanding the rebellion with her arms crossed and head held high, she fully demonstrates how learning the truth about your family and the world around you can completely change your perspective.

As narrator Officer Lockstock, Teffanie Amador combines her powerful vocals with equally formidable posturing, intimidating characters from Little Sally to Old Man Strong with her aggressive stance and constant swinging of her nightstick. Her fearsome presence perfectly juxtaposes Crystal Alvarez (Little Sally), who, with her pigtails, courtesy of the Anaheim hair and makeup team, and baby voice, is the personification of innocence in a cruel and unforgiving town.

Ashley Dorado, as amenity officer Penelope Pennywise, also tailors her vocals specifically to fit her character, mastering a witchy cackle to blend perfectly with her character's initially wicked persona and attacking high notes without fear in accordance with Pennywise's cold and unafraid exterior.

Tasked with differentiating characters based on their social standing with their makeup and hair designs, the team of Bianca Trujillo, Julia Mora, Kaylee Rivera, and Juan Munoz made the inspired choice to cover the Poor in charcoal to simulate dirt and to use heavy blush on the wealthy employees of the UGC. These clear choices also extended to their designs for hair, as characters from the lower class had sloppier and less intricate hairstyles than the upper class.

In Anaheim's production of "Urinetown," actors and student technicians work tirelessly to execute an enjoyable but thought-provoking rendition of this acclaimed satire that examines the dangers of capitalism and mob rule.



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Katie Alexander
Tesoro

Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Hope flourishes in Anaheim's "Urinetown"
written by Katie Alexander, a senior at Tesoro High School

The line between absurd humor and unfortunate reality blurs in Anaheim High School's lively production of "Urinetown" that tells an unconventional love story through the lens of witty satire. In a society where people must pay to use the bathroom, the poor lower class is forced to rebel against the greedy corporation profiting from them, and a surprising lesson of hope and healing emerges.

Emilliano Torres and Victoria Ahuatzi as Bobby Strong and Hope Cladwell, respectively, make a lovely pair. In "Follow Your Heart," the two spin in circles with clasped hands until they stumble onto a staircase where they sit face to face. By the end of the song, Bobby dips Hope into a passionate kiss, leaving her giddily jumping and clapping until the scene ends.

Steven Rojas stands out as the schmoozing Caldwell B Cladwell. Rojas drives comedy with a signature cheesy grin, hiding his unscrupulous motives. When Caldwell's daughter, Hope, enters, he gives her condescending pats on her head as if she were his pet. While his expressions paint him as harmless, Rojas enforces his more domineering presence through his physicality. At the start of the show, he stands behind a fence, authoritatively resting both hands in front of him and looming over the people below.

Also bringing comedy is Ashley Dorado as the spunky, animated Penelope Pennywise. She shows passion and fire in "It's a Privilege to Pee," as she balances atop a stool and a table, singing upwards with arms outstretched. Her shrill squeals as she writhes on the floor in "Look at the Sky" bring life and humor to the number.

Crystal Alvarez plays a loveable Little Sally. Throughout the show she shyly grasps a teddy bear and walks with short steps to create a truly childlike character.

While the acting proves itself admirable, the technical elements only further enhance the show. The hair and makeup team creates a clear distinction between rich and poor. The upper class characters wear clean designs while the lower class characters are dusted with charcoal powder to appear scruffy and dirty. The designs effectively match the personalities of the characters as well. Hope's makeup is kept simple and natural while some sassy secretaries wear dark lipstick and tight updos.

With impressive acting and skillful hair and makeup designs, Anaheim's "Urinetown" communicates the message of hope through this well-executed satire.


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Samantha Pietenpol
El Dorado

Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Urine for a wild ride with Anaheim's ‘Urinetown'
written by Samantha Pietenpol, a senior at El Dorado High School

"Urinetown," with music and lyrics by Marc Hollman and book and lyrics by Greg Kotis, is a parody of a traditional Broadway musical with an unhappy ending. The premise is simple: a dystopian world suffering from a decades long drought that has forced the government to conserve water by making the people pay to pee. Narrated by Officer Lockstock and Little Sally, the audience is brought to a metaphysical place called Urinetown, where a comedic and reflective plot ensues. With an engaged ensemble and powerful lead performers, Anaheim Performing Arts Conservatory delivers a commendable version of difficult material.

Teffanie Amador as Officer Lockstock and Crystal Alvarez as Little Sally made a fascinating duo. The contrast between Amador's strong demeanor and authoritative voice and Alvarez's high-pitched voice and childlike physicality creates an interesting dynamic. Their clear diction and command of the stage helps move the plot forward.

Victoria Ahuatzi portrays the innocent Hope Cladwell. Her character's emotional development is made clear, as she begins the show with a bubbly voice and demeanor, skipping across the stage, and gradually deepens her voice and stands her ground to take control. Emilliano Torres stands out as the heroic Bobby Strong. His pleasantly strong voice shines in numbers like "Run Freedom Run" that show off his sweet upper register.
Steven Rojas delivers a consistently comical performance as Caldwell B. Cladwell, the evil leader of Urine Good Company. Rojas plays his character with heavy sarcasm and an artificial smile, making his intentions appear even more sinister.

This production features a dedicated and unique ensemble. Each performer consistently makes strong, distinct character choices and remains engaged throughout the show. They all portray their character's poverty and despair with different variations of physicality and facial expressions. Even when they weren't the center of attention, the ensemble members remained in character and invested in the scene.

Makeup and hair by Bianca Trujillo, Kaylee Rivera, Juan Munoz, and Robert Ruvalcaba complemented the actors well. The makeup made important distinctions between age and social class. The Poor had charcoal heavily smeared across their faces, which contrasted greatly with the clean-cut, flawless makeup for the Staff of UGC and other rich characters.

Anaheim High School's production of "Urinetown" is thought-provoking, begging audiences to reflect on the state of the world and look for hope where they'd least expect.



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