Urinetown is not your typical musical. Set in a drought-stricken, dystopian future, citizens must pay to use the restroom. Public facilities are owned and operated by the greedy and corrupt Urine Good Company, with iron-fisted Caldwell B. Cladwell at the helm. When a hero rises from the oppressed masses, a revolution begins to brew, sparking a hilarious yet timely tale of power, greed, love and—yes—urination.

“On its surface, the show is absurd,” says director and drama teacher Steven Minning. “But Urinetown is a deeply relevant story about corporate greed, environmental catastrophe, and the human spirit’s resistance to tyranny. It’s a satirical masterpiece that has particular relevance in this time in history, all told in energetic fun.”

The production, featuring a talented ensemble of Menlo Upper School students, holds outsized importance right now, promising to make audiences laugh while simultaneously thinking about pressing global issues. “Urinetown touches on really topical subjects, and I feel like that’s what Menlo and the world need,” said Yuna ’27. “Regardless of the funny subject matter or the goofy title, the show takes great care with serious topics. Urinetown balances out humor and serious stuff in a great way.”

The Tony Award-winning score plays a key role in the narrative, featuring a variety of musical styles, including Broadway parodies, uplifting anthems, Vaudeville acts, and irreverent homages to the classics. From the gospel-inspired “Run, Freedom, Run!” to the comically titled “It’s a Privilege to Pee,” the songs in Urinetown are catchy, ironic, and upbeat.

The performers bring enthusiasm, absurdity, and perfectly-timed wit to every scene.

Sadie ’26 points out that, “in addition to the compelling narrative, our cast features actors who bring unique energy and experiences that will resonate with the audience.” Wanis ’28, who is enjoying his first Menlo Upper School Drama experience, notes that the smaller-than-usual cast has given them the opportunity to really bond. He adds, “The show has a lot of character. I know audiences will love it.”

Urinetown: The Musical takes the stage at the Spieker Performing Arts Center on Friday, November 1, and Saturday, November 2 at 7:30 pm, with a final performance on Sunday, November 3 at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and are available for purchase at menloschool.org/tickets. Please note that this performance is recommended for ages 13+.  

Check out a video clip of Menlo Drama performing a couple of numbers from Urinetown: “Run, Freedom, Run” and “I See a River.”