Vivien Ho, Dana David, Amelia Hooker, Audrey Ling, Kayla Donaldson
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The land on which Drexel University stands and upon which we gather is part of the traditional territory of the Lenape called “Lenapehoking” (pronunciation: Lun-nah-pay-ho-king). It is here that the people called the 'grandfather tribe' and the 'peacemakers' have lived their lives, spoken their language, and held their ceremonies for thousands of years Indeed, Lenape is translated as “real or original person ” During the colonial and early federal period, many were removed west and north, but some also remain in their homeland The Lenape were subjected to 250 years of colonization that included cultural suppression and erasure, forced removal from this land and continue to experience systemic discrimination and marginalization
Acknowledging this history, our opportunity to be on this land, and the Lenape tribe's continued presence, is consistent with Drexel University’s mission We openly recognize the Lenape tribe as the original inhabitants of eastern Pennsylvania, as well as their continuing presence and relationship with their territory We acknowledge the Lenape people as the Indigenous stewards of their homelands as well as the spiritual keepers of the Lenape
Sipu, or Delaware River, and Drexel University does hereby commit to actively supporting our Lenape community members in whatever way we are able, helping to maintain the Indigenous cultural identity of
Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and southern New York We hope that, by recognizing this Indigenous history, it will inspire you to think about your place on this land, and engage in efforts to promote a community that values strengthening of Indigenous communities, here and elsewhere
WELCOME FROM THE DEPARTMENT
We are excited to have you join us for this amazing production. It is rare that we
return to a show after having performed it only thirteen years ago, but this show, while having premiered on Broadway in 2001, is shockingly as relevant today as it
was then, if not more important than ever It also remains, in my opinion, one of
the funniest Broadway musicals and we were fortunate to have the director of our 2012 production, Peter Reynolds, return to helm this production once again.
He is joined by an exciting creative team that we are so fortunate to have working with our talented and dedicated students.I know you will enjoy this production and its strong messages and critique of society with some fun jabs at the world of musical theater thrown in for good measure
As with all of our productions, this show is the result of the hard work of many more students and professional artists than you see onstage. More than 80 students work on all aspects of our productions under the mentorship of our incredible Production Manager Paul Jerue and our Mandell Technical Director
Chris Totora These students represent more than 34 different majors from across the entire University, and in the spirit of collaboration and creativity, they bring together their diverse backgrounds, skills, and passions to create first-class theatrical productions. Our skilled students participate in building the scenery and props, assisting the professional director and designers, running/programming the lights and sound, creating marketing materials, and managing front of house and all the administrative elements that go into putting on a production of this scale.
The Drexel Theatre Program closes out its 2024-25 season with this hilarious production, but we hope you will join us for our Theatre Showcase Performances on Saturday, June 7 when we present the Director’s Lab – 5 original plays written by students from Drexel’s Screenwriting/Playwriting Program, directed by Drexel students under the guidance of Professor Bill Fennelly. You really need to check out the talent of these students and then stay for a performance from our Advanced Improv Ensemble.More information about these and future Theatre Program and all Department of Performing Arts events can be found on our website at www drexel edu/performingarts Be sure to follow us on social media (@drexeltheatreprogram) We are thrilled to have you with us tonight and look forward to seeing you again soon! th
Nick Anselmo
Theatre Program Director
Dr. Miriam Giguere
Department Head
Department of Performing Arts
A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR
A society that has discovered that its way of life is unsustainable…this
is reality for the inhabitants of the mythical city where our show is set.
Unfortunately, the given circumstances of Urinetown are more prescient today than they were at the time of the musical’s inception. It has been 24 years since the Broadway premiere of Urinetown. “The little musical that could” made an improbable journey from the minds of experimental theater artists Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann to the New York International Fringe Festival to Broadway The ferociously original story with its irreverent approach to musical comedy took New York by storm and impacted musical theater history; for Kotis and Hollmann accomplished something truly original and opened the door for meta-musicals to follow. With a genuine respect for the musicals that came before theirs, the authors injected experiences and sensibilities honed in renegade Chicago storefront theater into a musical about a place where people pay for the privilege to pee
Urinetown will be remembered for its message, adroitly embedded in a lot of highly entertaining zaniness.
I hope you enjoy yourself tonight as much as I enjoy the privilege of working with the talented young artists at Drexel. Thank you for supporting live theater!
- Peter Reynolds
Maya
Seipel Yan Liu Lex Boyes
Macie Perry
Ashley Prentice
Mia Hernandez
Niharika Roy
MUSICAL NUMBERS
ACT I
“Urinetown” ..................................................................... Lockstock & Company
“It’s a Privilege to Pee” ........................................................ Penny & The Poor
“It’s a Privilege to Pee” (reprise)............................ Lockstock & The Poor
“Mr Cladwell” ................................ Cladwell, McQueen, Hope & UGC Staff
“Cop Song” ........................................................... Lockstock, Barel & The Cops
“Follow Your Heart” ..................................................................... Hope & Bobby
“Look at the Sky” .................................................................... Bobby & The Poor
“Don’t Be the Bunny” .................................................. Cladwell & UGC Staff
“Act 1 Finale” .............................................................................................. Ensemble There will be one 10 minute intermission
ACT II
“What Is Urinetown” ............................................................................. Ensemble
“Snuff That Girl” ................... Hot Blades Harry, Little Becky Two Shoes .............................................................................................................& The Rebel Poor
“Run Freedom Run” ............................................................. Bobby & The Poor
“Follow Your Heart” (reprise).................................................................... Hope
“Why Did I Listen to That Man” ...................... Penny, Lockstock, Barrel, ....................................................................................................................Hope & Bobby
“Tell Her I Love Her” .......................................................... Little Sally & Bobby
“We’re Not Sorry” ............................................................... The Rich & The Poor
“We’re Not Sorry” (reprise)................................................ Cladwell & Penny
“I See a River” ............................................................... Hope & The Ensemble
AIDEN ABIUSO
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST
Old Man Strong/Mr. McQueen) is
thrilled to be in Urinetown this Spring!
He would like to thank his friends,
family, and lovely partner, Lauren, for
their continued support of his theatrical
endeavors Lastly, Aiden wants to thank
the cast, crew, and production/artistic
teams for making this show process
such a pleasure
NIX ARONOWITZ (Robby the Stockfish)
is incredibly excited to be in their first
show in the Mandell Theatre! You may
know Nix from The Super Power Plays,
and you can catch them next starring
in Drexel Night Live, Drexel’s student
run sketch comedy show!
BENJAMIN BAILEY (Billy Boy Bill) is a
first-year student at Drexel studying
Behavioral Economics! Ben has loved
theater since he was ten and is ecstatic
for his first Drexel production of
URINETOWN (The Musical)! Ben would
like to thank his family, friends, and
loved ones who have supported his
journey performing for all these years
ALEXA BOYES
(Cladwell’s Secretary) is excited to
bring her passion for performance to
the Drexel Theater Department In the
winter term, she appeared in the
Mantua Theater Project and was an
Assistant Director in the NewWorks
festival. She is looking forward to
performing in her first mainstage show
this spring.
ALEX CHERNEKO (Tiny Tom) is
incredibly excited to be on stage. As the
shortest member of the cast, he’s
especially thrilled to play the role of
Tiny Tom and bring this funny
character to life.
DANA DAVID (Hope Cladwell) is so
excited to be playing Hope Caldwell in
Urinetown! --
Previous Drexel Credits: Annabeth
(TLT), Woman 1 (SFANW), Betty/Bride
(ILYYPNC) She would like to the cast,
crew, and direction team for making
this production so wonderful, and her
friends and family for all their love and
support
NIC FALLACARO (Bobby Strong) is a
Finance Major and Theatre Minor and
is thrilled to be back onstage at Drexel!
Credits: Songs for a New World (Drexel),
Percy Jackson - The Lightning Thief
(Drexel), Gabe - Next To Normal (Old
Academy Players), & Finch - Newsies
(UD Summer Stage). He would like to thank his family for their constant love & support.
MIA HERNANDEZ (UGC Executive #2) is
a third-year psychology major and this
is her first show at Drexel. She is so
grateful to her friends, family, and this
amazing cast for being so supportive
and kind
ABIGAIL INSANA (Penelope Pennywise)
is so excited to be a part of this
production! She has loved every second of being with this cast and is overjoyed to put on this show for all of you! She
would like to thank her friends and
family for being so supportive in her
performing endeavors!
MATTHEW J. LACY (Caldwell B.
Cladwell) is a Senior Screenwriting
Major here! Excited to perform on the
Drexel Stage one last time before--
graduate in June! If I had one million billion dollars, I would probably I'd buy
the Solar System and then pee about it
YAN LIU (Dr. Billeaux) is a MechE
freshman and is so thrilled to be a part
of his first Drexel theater musical. He
would like to thank the cast and
production team for bringing such a
silly show to life --
WHO’S WHO
ANASTASIYA VASILENKO (Josephine
"Old Ma" Strong) is a first-year who’s
thrilled to perform in her third
production at Drexel! Her previous
appearances include Curious Incident
and the Mantua Theater Project She
thanks everyone who made this show
possible and hopes you laugh, cry, and
maybe even reconsider your
relationship with public restrooms.
JIA WEINGARD (Little Sally) is honored
to be a part of the production of
Urinetown: The Musical at Drexel
University. She’d like to thank her
parents for their support. Previous
credits: Curious Incident…, A
Midsummer…, Clue!: On Stage.
ARTISTIC TEAM/CREW
JASON ADAMS (Lighting Board Op) a
freshman Computing and Security
Technology major, is thrilled to make
his mainstage debut at Drexel as the
Lighting Board Operator for Urinetown.
He got his start in technical theater at
Cherry Hill East High School and is
grateful to work alongside such a
talented crew of friends.
AVERY BOUDREAUX
(Assistant Costume Shop Manager) is so proud to be a part of the costume
design team for The Lightning Thief!
They have previously worked on
costumes for Songs for a
New World, I Love You You’re Perfect
Now Change, and Director’s Lab She would like to thank the rest of the
hardworking production crew as well as
her amazing costume team, especially
Asaki Kuruma for her guidance!
J DOMINIC CHACON (Lighting
Designer) Amber Puggy Galore is the
official Associate Lighting Designer for
this production. Happy to be working at
Drexel as Adjunct and Designer for
Drexel Dance. He is also the Lighting
Coordinator at Swarthmore College
Lang Performing Arts Center. --
Regional: Holy Grail of Memphis, BFG,
Clydes (Arden Theatre Company);
BLACK WOOD (Gunnar Montana); All
My Mothers Dream in Spanish, Young
Money (Azuka Theatre); A Shadow that
Broke the Light (Simpatico Theatre);
Brighton Beach Memoirs (Delaware
Theatre Company); Minor Character
(Wilma Theater); The Legend of Georgia
McBride (Florida Studio Theatre); Life is
a Dream (EgoPo Classic Theatre); A
Year With Frog and Toad (Cardinal
Stage Company); Thurgood, Peter and
the Starcatcher (Walnut Street
Theatre). Education: Temple University,
MFA.
BECKETT CHASE (Assistant Sound
Advisor) Third-year Entertainment and
Arts Management major at Drexel with
minors in Legal Studies and
Environmental Sociology Has been
involved in theatre practically all their
life, is interested in how live
entertainment affects politics & people,
and is planning to attend law school
following graduation
RICK CONNER (Assistant Technical
Director) is excited to be the assistant
technical director for his first Drexel
Mainstage production, Urinetown. He
started working on shows in high
school and is chuffed to be here, he is
incredibly proud of the cast and crew’s
hard work and grateful to be part of the
team.
DANA DAVID (Production Technician)
is very excited to be a part of
production crew for this show! She
loved every second of building and
painting this great set! She would like
to thank Nick Anselmo, Paul Jerue, and
the Drexel Theater Department for
allowing her to “follow her heart” and
be able to build and perform
WHO’S WHO
AMANDA HATCH (Props Master)
AVISTA CUSTOM THEATRICAL
SERVICES, LLC (Properties), owned by
Jennifer Burkhart and Amanda Hatch,
was founded in 2007. Avista specializes
in prop and soft goods construction,
and maintains a 10,000 square foot
rental warehouse in Norristown. Avista’s
prop master and design work has been
seen locally at Opera Philadelphia,
Azuka Theatre, Act 2 Playhouse, Drexel,
Temple and Rowan Universities,
Mauckingbird Theatre, EgoPo Classic
Theater, Theatre Exile, Inis Nua Theater,
Power Street Theatre,the Curtis
Institute, and Kimmel Center Education
Department www avistacustom com
HANNAH HERMAN (Stage Manager) is
a sophomore Entrepreneurship major
with a minor in Business
Administration This is her second show
with Drexel Theatre Company: Songs
for a New World and The Lightning
Thief. She has been involved in different
theater companies since she was 4. She
has loved working with the actors and
crew on this show and can't wait for the
next one.
COLE HERRMANN (Spotlight Operator)
is so happy to be working as a spotlight
operator of his first Drexel Mainstage
musical. Cole is a Music Industry Major
and a Theatre Minor. Congrats to the
entire cast and crew!
MARK HOLLMAN (Composer and
Lyricist) received the Tony Award®, the
National Broadway Theatre Award, and
the Obie Award for his score to
Urinetown the Musical, which had its
start in the 1999 New York International
Fringe Festival It won Outer Critics
Circle, Drama League, and Lucille Lortel
Awards for best musical in addition to
garnering 10 Tony Award®
nominations. their shows as
composer/lyricist include Yeast Nation
(2011), --
New York International Fringe Festival,
Perseverance Theatre, American
Theatre Company, and Ray of Light
Theatre), Bigfoot and Other Lost Souls
(Atlantic Stage and Perseverance
Theatre), The Man in the White Suit
(New York Stage and Film),The Girl, the
Grouch, and the Goat (University
Theatre, U. of Kansas), Alchemist the
Musical (Seattle Fringe Festival), Jack
the Chipper (Greenview Arts Center,
Chicago) Kabooooom! (University
Theater, U. of Chicago), I Think I Can
and Deal with It! (Berkshire Theatre
Festival), and Fare for All (Mount
Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden, NYC)
Actor and/or co-writer for the Cardiff
Giant Theater (Chicago) productions
The Rack, Theater of Funny, The Mercy
Ripper, LBJFKKK, Love Me, All Eight Die,
and After Taste, the last of which he
also directed TV: songs for Disney
Channel's Johnny and the Sprites He
has served on the Tony Nominating
Committee, serves on the Council of
the Dramatists Guild of America, and is
a member of ASCAP. He is also a
member of Sure Foundation Lutheran
Church in Woodside, Queens, where he
serves as a part-time pianist. He and his
wife Jilly live in Manhattan with their
sons, Oliver and Tucker.
HARANG KANG (Assistant Props/Paint)
is excited to be part of Urinetown the
Musical, and this is her first musical to
work on It is also her first time doing
props and paint She would like to thank the production team for a
wonderful year
GREG KOTIS (Writer and Lyricist)
wrote the book and co-wrote the lyrics
for URINETOWN THE MUSICAL, for
which he won two Tony Awards in
2002 His new play, PIG FARM, opened
at The Roundabout Theatre in New
York City and at The Old Globe Theatre
in San Diego in 2006. --
WHO’S WHO
Currently, he is developing two new
musicals with Mark Hollmann: YEAST
NATION (the triumph of life), an original
story that tells the tale of the dawn of
life on Earth, and THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT, a musical version of the
1951 Alec Guiness film. Other plays
include EAT THE TASTE (at New York's
Barrow Street Theatre) – JOBEY AND KATHERINE, BARON von SIEBENBURG
MELTS THROUGH THE FLOORBOARDS, and GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY
WANT. Greg lives in Brooklyn with his wife Ayun, his daughter India, and his
son Milo
FRANKIE LABELLE (Assistant Master
Electrician) is a second year
Entertainment and Arts Management
major with a concentration in
performing arts They were very excited
to work in the lighting department for
this show and were able to learn a lot
through the whole process
ANDREW LAINE (Scene Designer)
designs, engineers, invents, rigs, and
builds things for theater. He is currently
a Professor of Design & Production at
Temple University, where he heads the
ever-growing Bachelor of Fine Arts in
Technical Production & Management.
He proudly serves as Resident Scene
Designer for Mauckingbird Theater
Company in Philadelphia. Urinetown
will be Andrew’s final show in
Philadelphia for the foreseeable future,
as he moves on to new adventures and
horizons abroad He is eternally grateful
that his last show in Philly is directed by
his very favorite director and dear
friend and colleague, Peter Reynolds
MILO LINARES (Run and Wardrobe
Crew) This is Milo’s first year as a Techie
and their first show with Drexel! They’re
so excited to be a part of this
production. Shoutout to the amazing
cast and crew!
LUKE MCGINNIS (Music Director) is a
music director, multi-instrumentalist
and vocal coach from Atlanta, GA. After
studying choral conducting at Berklee
College of Music, Luke co-created
Apartment Sessions, a New York-based
collective recording original symphonic
arrangements in a Brooklyn apartment
with a rotating ensemble, featuring
artists Gabriel Kahane, Kishi Bashi,
Linqua Franqa and more. Since then,
Luke has relocated to Philly (thank
goodness) and has MDed at Drexel,
UArts, UPenn and Temple universities
Thanks to Rose, Peter, Devon, Chris, SM
team and cast for their hard work on
this stupid/wonderful show Contact
Luke at mcekul@gmail com let their
blood flow like Campari
BELLA MELTZER (Costume Shop
Assistant) is a sophomore Fashion
Design major with two years of
experience in the Drexel Theater
Program. They have contributed both
as a costume assistant and designer for
productions including Clue, the Mantua
Theater Project, and the upcoming
Student Works dance performance.
PETER REYNOLDS (Director) Artistic
Director – Mauckingbird Theatre
Company, Philadelphia; Head of
Musical Theater, Temple University.
Philadelphia area: Act II Playhouse,
Media Theatre, Hedgerow Theatre,
Candlelight Theatre, Philadelphia
Theatre Company, Philadelphia Young
Playwrights, Walnut Street Theatre,
Curio Theatre, Cape May Stage and the
Lenape Regional Performing Arts
Center in New Jersey Regionally: 6
years as Artistic Director of
HealthWorks Theatre-Chicago, winner
of the Award of Excellence in
Prevention Education, Oregon
Shakespeare Festival, Arrow Rock
Lyceum Theatre, HotCity Theatre-St.
Louis, --
WHO’S WHO
Chicago Dramatists, Theatre Building
Chicago, Maples Repertory; Villanova
Theatre, University of Illinois-
Urbana/Champaign, Drexel University,
Arcadia University, and Southern Illinois
University.
IAN ROSE (Fight Director) has
choreographed fights for commercials,
film, and stage for over thirty years.
Ian’s theater credits include Broadways’
Booth Theater (Les Liaisons
Dangereuses with Liev Schrieber and
Janet McTeer), the Bridewell Theatre in
London, MTM Studios in Rome,
Riverside Shakespeare and
Interborough Repertory Theatre in New
York City, the Whole Theatre in New
Jersey, and the Pennsylvania
Shakespeare Festival He is a frequent
choreographer in Philadelphia with
numerous credits at The Arden,
Quintessence Theatre Group and the
Wilma, including the Pulitzer Prize
winning original production of James
Ijames Fat Ham. His film work includes
the documentary Philadelphia: The
Great Experiment –Disorder and A
Winter’s Tale. Ian is delighted to return
to Drexel University and is enormously
thankful to Peter and Nick for their
confidence.
SOPHIE RUTAN (A2) is a third-year
mechanical engineering major. She has
been involved in technical theater for 7
years, and has been involved with
Drexel Theater since day 1 of her college
education In this production of
Urinetown, she is the A2 She would like
to thank the cast and crew for this
fantastic production and friends and
family for their support
CHRIS SANNINO (Sound Designer) is a
sound designer, composer, and
engineer. Based in Philadelphia PA, he
is a core contributing member of the
immersive performance collective Die-
Cast. Recent highlights include Poor
Judge (Pig Iron Theatre Co.) and
Suddenly Last Summer (Die-Cast). --
His design work and music have been
featured in part with Wilma Theater,
Theater Exile, BalletX, Lantern Theater, Hedgerow Theatre, New Georges, BRAT
Productions, Inis Nua, 1812 Productions,
and Theatre Horizon amongst many
others. Proud member of TSDCA and
IATSE USA829. Check out
SoundCloud.com/ChrisSannino for more!
SYDNEY SCHULZE (Assistant
Production Manager) This is Sydney's
final year in the program and she is
honored for Urinetown to be her last
with Drexel Sydney has worked across
multiple departments, mainly focusing
on lighting and stage management on mainstage productions She would like
to thank everyone who made her
Drexel Theater experience so special!
DEVON SINCLAIR (Choreographer) As a
creative and artist, Devon seizes
opportunities to create exuberant and
engaging productions that remind us
of the limitless possibilities of
storytelling. The Penn State alum is
grateful and overjoyed to be joining
Devon works across the Greater
Philadelphia region as an Actor,
Director/Choreographer, and a
Professor at Temple University. Most
recently, his projects have spanned the
Delaware Theatre Company (Stompin’
at the Savoy), Fulton Theatre (Jesus
Christ Superstar), New Light Theatre
(Kinky Boots), and more! Devon is also
the 2024 & 2023 Barrymore Award
Winner for Outstanding Choreography
in a Musical Vibrant thanks to his
community of loved ones!
DANA TAYLOR (Master Electrician) is a
senior Entertainment and Arts
Management major, and Urinetown is
her last ever production at Drexel. She
has made many lifelong friends and
gained countless skills. Dana has
adored learning the ins and outs of
theatre lighting and will deeply miss
being a part of this program.
WHO’S WHO
LUCY TYLER (Assistant Stage Manager)
is very excited to be a part of
Urinetown’s production team as an
Assistant Stage Manager. This is her
first time working behind the stage
instead of being on it! She is very
appreciative of the SM team, how
awesome they are, and Grace for
keeping her sane throughout this
production.
GRACE WEACHTER (Assistant Stage
Manager) is a third year Film and
Television Major She recently worked
as assistant costume designer for The
Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson(2023)
and costume designer for Mantua
Theater Project (2024 and 2025) and
Drexel Dance Ensemble: Rising as One
Student Dance Work (2024)
BECKY WETZEL (Costume Designer)is a
freelance Costume Designer in
Philadelphia and the surrounding area
She received her MFA and BA in
Costume Design from Temple
University and her AFA from MCCC
Her most recent design works have
been Goblin Market a new work at
Temple, and the Opera Cendrillon with
Boyer/Temple University. This is her first
time designing with Drexel University.
Other companies she has worked with
are Upper Darby Summer Stage,
Ursinus College, Uarts, the Arden, and
Hedgerow/Mauckingbird
JUSTIN WILLIAMS (Audio Mixer) is a
Music Industry major at Drexel He has
been in theater since age five starting
as an actor, then a sound tech in high
school. He is a self-taught drummer
and bassist. First, he thanks God for
every blessing and helping make this
journey a success as well as his mom
Danielle, grandma Gilda, family, and CJ
Celeiro
ROSE XU (Assistant Music
Director/Conductor/Track Playback) is a
Senior Criminology & Justice Studies
major with a minor in Entertainment
Arts and Management Rose has been
music directing for 9 years, and this is
their second show with Drexel Theater
They are very excited to graduate with
such a fun production!
ANDREY YIP (Spot Operator) is so
excited to work their first Main Stage
show here at Drexel!They are currently
a 2nd year Entertainment and Arts
Management student with a minor in
Theater. Shout out cast and crew!! Go
lighting crew!
NIKOLA ZVONIK (Wardrobe and Run
Crew) This is Nikola's first production at
Drexel and they are excited to work on
urinetown!
DEPARTMENT OF PERFORMING ARTS
DepartmentHead
Dr. MiriamGiguere
ProgramDirectors
Luke Abruzzo Music
Nick Anselmo Theatre
JenniferMorley Dance
Administrative Staff
Ellie Ebby
DepartmentAssistant
Hannah Burke
DepartmentAdministrator
Caroline Leipf
MandellTheaterManagingDirector
Cece Hill
PerformingArtsGraduateAssistant
LivShoup
AudienceServicesCoordinator
LaurenTracy
EnsembleProductionAssociate
ProductionStaff
Paul Jerue
TheatreProductionManager/
BlackBoxTheaterTechnicalDirector
Asaki Kuruma
CostumeShopManager
ChrisTotora
MandellTheaterTechnicalDirector
DREXEL THEATRE COMPANY MEMBERS
Mae Merkle..................................................................................................................Costume Design
