It might have an unusual title, but Madison Country Day School’s “Urinetown: The Musical,” had a full house Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14 and 15, despite members of the cast getting the flu and a lead actor getting sick during the show.
The show really must go on: When Andrey ’27 got sick and was unable to perform on the second night of the show, Nov. 15. MCDS’s theater director, Emily Glick, or as she likes to call herself, a “professional make-believer,” stood in as Officer Lockstock in place of Andrey.
Andrey, cast as Officer Lockstock, put on an impressive performance on Friday, opening night, despite being under the weather.
“The main thing I learned is how important a cast can be,” said Shay ’26, who played Penelope Pennywise. “I was able to meet and speak with a bunch of people I never would have if I didn’t join the play. It’s an amazing family that helps people to strive all the time,” she added.
It was a change for the cast to perform with Glick in place of Andrey, but they handled it professionally. Lewis ’27, who played Officer Barrell, said, “Apparently, backstage, [the rest of the cast] were dying laughing during the ‘I love you very much,’ but it wasn’t too hard for me,” he said. “I’ve done the scene so many times, it was just second nature not to laugh.”
Glick spoke with the cast before the show and expressed her disappointment that she had to go on in place of Andrey, but she had also spoken with other candidates for the role, who had all declined, so this was the only way for the students to perform the show.
“I have had a lot of fun with the musical,” said Aleah ’26, who stage-managed “Urinetown.” “There is something special about a musical that knows it’s ridiculous and actors who are willing to embrace the madness of the musical.”
The cast celebrated the seniors before the final show on Saturday. They were sad to see them leave, but grateful to have worked with them and watched them do such an amazing job for their final show at MCDS.
Quinn ’28, who played Hope Cladwell, said, “I just love performing and it’s really fun to spend time with my friends while creating something that we’ll get to share with our community.”
And Donovan, who played Bobby Strong, said he really enjoyed learning the music for this show because many of the songs are catchy and fun to sing.
The students, cast and crew all have many fond memories from rehearsals and performances. They mentioned their growth in acting and how “Urinetown” has been a great experience.
“I really enjoy how the musical this year is complex and challenging, and it allows for decisions to be made from each character that are not described in the script,” said Oden ’27, who played Caldwell B. Cladwell.
Kovalic shared a funny memory from rehearsal. “I really enjoyed getting to goof around with a lot of my friends while still getting work done, such as pranking Andrey to hop around like a rabbit during a rehearsal of ‘Don’t Be the Bunny,’ or dancing backstage with friends and lip syncing the songs and acting them out.”
“’Urinetown’ follows a predictable structure, but its comedic timing and the tone of the musical are definitely things to tackle,” Glick explained. “I’m really proud of the way individuals have started taking ownership of their roles, choreography, characters and lines. It’s like a domino effect: when one person comes in fully memorized and making strong choices, it inspires others to do so as well.”
