Urinetown

Wow, one of our local universities, just put on Urinetown, the Musical. We think UNCG is the first college/university to perform this fairly recent New York musical. UNCG's theatre and music departments did a wonderful job. I think many, if not all the shows, were sold out, and I know the audience gave a standing ovation at least twice and maybe always!

The musical is one with an ecological/environmental message. The natural resource in great shortage is water. Our newspaper recently ran articles on the current and probably oil shortage. It is not as though this is not real world stuff. We should be thinking about these resources and our use in the US. Urinetown helps us think about this in a cleverly executed play with good music. In the process though we enjoy this play. It spoofs the musicals of the 50s with the full skirted heroine, the rich girl, poor boy love story, the follow your heart theme. Then there are the scenes that are almost Les Miserables, a little of Jesus Christ Superstar, a touch of Annie. Those are just some I spotted.

So this brings me to the head in the sand, judge the book by the cover letter written to our newspaper and the comments that followed it. The lady did not even see the play, but UNCG and Greensboro can do better. Better than what? Better than alerting us to shortage problems in a fun way??? I don't get it. I just don't know why people continue to prejudge. It is good that this lady can publish her view. I just wish it were an informed one. This region has been suffering from a drought, almost two months without a good rainfall. Right now we are in a cloud thanks to hurricane Tammy. Our ground is wet at last and there are even a few puddles. This may not be enough to bring us out of the drought, but at least our trees are getting a drink and hopefully we will have enough water to get us through so we can continue to drink and flush the toilet.

The play is entered in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival so maybe you will get an opportunity to see it. Let us hope so. Thanks, UNCG. Keep up the good work and if it is controversial, yay.. make the people think before it is too late.