Far Corners Community Musical Theatre
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Why Urinetown?
Sustainability and Urinetown: The Musical

Think “Urinetown” is a terrible title for a musical?  “You’re in” good company:

“I don’t think too many people are going to come see this musical, Officer Lockstock,” comments Little Sally in the final moments of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Urinetown.

“Why do you say that, Little Sally?  Don’t you think people wanna be told that their way of life is unsustainable?”

“That, and the title’s awful.”

Monteverde, Costa Rica is a rural community perched on the Tilaran mountains at the continental divide and surrounded by one of the world’s few examples of the delicate cloud forest biome. A popular ecotourism destination, the misty, beautiful forest supports a vast number of species and is the subject of extensive research in both pure sciences and in resource management

Monteverde has a tradition of environmental consciousness.  However, this mindset is continuously at odds with the demands of rapid economic development: recent issues involve water rights, waste management from hotels and restaurants, and traffic on newly paved roads.
Picture
Picture
In other words, issues of sustainability are front and center in Monteverde – making it an especially appropriate location for a youth production of Urinetown: The Musical, a fast-paced satire about a fictitious town where extreme drought has caused the government to outlaw private toilets.  And the cast – drawn primarily from two local schools that place environmental awareness and social responsibility at the center of their curricula – are bright, creative teenagers; kids who have great potential to make a difference in their home town and country.

One of FCCMT’s core values is the social relevance of musical theatre – the belief that an excellent musical not only tells a story but also explores issues relevant to the audience and cast. Urinetown’s story takes place at the intersection between issues of socio-economic disparity and severely diminished natural resources – certainly a point of fundamental relevance in the developing world.  The show does not paint a picture of an easy solution, either, but dares the audience to consider the complexities of the situation. Little Sally protests this choice of ending: “What kind of musical is this?  The good guys finally take over and then everything starts falling apart?”

“Like I said, Little Sally, this isn’t a happy musical.”

“But the music’s so happy!”

Officer Lockstock chuckles.  “Yes, Little Sally, yes it is.”
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1108 Fort Street Mall Suite 2A • Honolulu, HI, 96813 • ​United States • Ph. +1 (917) 979-3441
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission and Philosophy
    • Our Board of Directors
    • Testimonials
    • Video
    • Press
  • Donate
    • Local Business Sponsors
  • Participate
    • Classes and Workshops
    • Internships >
      • Job Descriptions
      • Apply Now - Summer 2022
    • Volunteer Opportunities >
      • Job descriptions
    • About Monteverde
  • Projects
    • Costa Rica >
      • Fiddler on the Roof 2017 >
        • Meet the Cast
        • Photo Gallery
      • Les Misérables 2016 >
        • Meet The Cast
        • Photo Gallery
      • Juego Malévolo 2015
      • The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee 2014
      • It's A Wonderful Life 2013
      • In The Heights 2013 >
        • Meet The Cast
        • Photo Gallery
        • Sponsors
      • Once On This Island 2012 >
        • Why Once On This Island?
        • Photo Gallery
        • A Parent's Perspective
        • A Board Member's Perspective
        • Sponsors
      • Little Shop of Horrors 2011 >
        • Cast Spotlight
        • Puppetry
        • Volunteer Profile
        • Sponsors
      • Oliver! 2010 >
        • Why Oliver!?
        • Meet the Cast
        • Photo Gallery
        • Sponsors
      • Urinetown 2009 >
        • Why Urinetown?
        • Meet the Cast of Urinetown
        • From the Audience of Urinetown
        • Photo Gallery - Urinetown
      • Music Man 2007
    • China >
      • Photo Gallery - Fiddler
      • Alumni Update China
      • Future Plans China
    • Mozambique >
      • Workshop May 2009
      • Workshop February 2010
      • Workshop September 2010
  • Contact
  • En Español