A dynamic ensemble of distinguished Canadian actors has been cast in the CanStage production of the Broadway hit URINETOWN: The Musical, Artistic Producer Martin Bragg announced today. The show, which is produced by CanStage and Dancap Private Equity Inc., and directed by John Rando (2002 Tony Award for Best Direction), opens at Toronto's Bluma Appel Theatre at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts on May 27th ~ with previews beginning on May 19th. Tickets are available in person at the CanStage Customer Service Centres: 26 Berkeley Street and 27 Front Street East; by telephone at CanStage 416-368-3110 or at Ticketmaster 416-872-1111; or online at www.CanStage.com.

"John Rando and I are both very excited with our cast," Martin Bragg elaborated. "We are certain that the Canadian production of this Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon will win the hearts of Torontonians, just as it has charmed audiences in New York City and throughout the United States."

The Canadian cast* of URINETOWN: The Musical includes David Keeley as Officer Lockstock, the avuncular narrator of the show. Jennifer Waiser is Little Sally, the wise-beyond-her years co-narrator, who questions the construct of the traditional "musical" and who also has strong feelings about the title of the show. Mary Ann McDonald (CanStage's Sweeney Todd) is Penelope Pennywise, the keeper of Amenity # 9, who ensures that all patrons pay to use the facilities. Stephen Patterson will portray the revolutionary and romantic lead, Bobby Strong and Cara Leslie is Hope Cladwell, the naïve daughter of the greedy corporate villain, Caldwell B. Cladwell.

The ensemble also features Steven Gallagher (Mr. McQueen), Rod Campbell (Senator Fipp), Lee MacDougall (Old Man Strong/Hot Blades Harry), Kevin Power (Tiny Tom/Dr. Billeaux), Sophie Schottlander (Soupy Sue/Cladwell's Secretary), Patricia Zentilli (Little Becky Two Shoes/ Mrs. Millennium), Michael Coady (Robbie The Stockfish/Business Man #1), Charles Azulay (Billy Boy Bill/Business Man #2), Colleen Tillotson (Old Woman/Josephine Strong), Sheldon Davis (Officer Barrel) and Frank Moore as Caldwell B. Cladwell, the greedy corporate villain. Rounding out the ensemble are: Greg Barry, Nicholas Matthew and Regan Thiel.

This musical-comedy tale of greed, corruption, love and revolution in a city where water is worth its weight in gold has been hailed by Entertainment Weekly as "fresh, exuberant and even moving-somewhere beyond the sublime and beyond the ridiculous." A show that both celebrates and spoofs the best of Broadway traditions, The New York Times calls it "a great musical-extraordinary, hilarious, and entirely original. It is simply the most galvanizing theatre experience in town."

URINETOWN: The Musical is the brainchild of Greg Kotis (Book and Lyrics) and Mark Hollmann (Music and Lyrics). Musical Staging is by John Carrafa; Scenic/Environmental Design is by Scott Pask; Costume Design by Gregory Gale and Jonathan Bixby; and Lighting Design is by Brian MacDevitt. The Fight Director is >Rick Sordelet, the Orchestrator is Bruce Coughlin; and Musical Direction is by Stephen Woodjetts. Maria Popoff is the Stage Manager, and the Assistant Stage Managers are Stephanie Marrs and Robert Harding.

Set in a Gotham-like City overwrought by ecological disaster, URINETOWN is essentially the story of two kids who fall in love in a city in the middle of a water shortage. A depletion of the earth's water supply has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The privilege to pee is regulated by a single, malevolent corporation, which profits by charging for one of mankind's most basic needs.

A hit at the 1999 New York International Fringe Festival, URINETOWN went on to Broadway where it has claimed an abundance of awards including 2002 Tony Awards (Best Director/Best Original Score/Best Book); the 2002 Outer Critics Circle Awards (Outstanding Broadway Musical/Director); the 2002 Lucille Lortel Awards (Outstanding Musical/Choreography); the 2002 Drama League Award (Distinguished Production of a Play) and the 2001 Obie Awards (Best Lyrics/ Music).

URINETOWN is produced in association with its original Broadway producers The Araca Group and Dodger Stage Holding.

Tickets to URINETOWN: The Musical are available in person at the CanStage Customer Service Centres: 26 Berkeley Street and 27 Front Street East; by telephone at CanStage 416-368-3110 or at Ticketmaster 416-872-1111; or online at www.CanStage.com. Tickets are: $45-$85; and for CanStage subscribers: $36-$68.

Season Media Sponsor: The Toronto Star
Radio Sponsor: 98.1 CHFI
Official Hotel: Delta Chelsea Hotel

Media Contacts:

Karen Lorenowicz 416-367-8243 ext. 246 klorenowicz@CanStage.com

Karen Lynch 416-461-5772 klynch@interlog.com