Sarasota Players casts high schoolers in Urinetown at Siesta Key Mall
A full house greeted the theater-in-the-round production, which runs through Sunday, Nov. 1, before the company stages 'Between the Lines Jr.' in December.
By Renata Mehta ·
Audience members at the Sarasota Players Siesta Key Mall location found themselves seated on four sides of the stage for the current production of 'Urinetown.' The configuration places viewers directly in the action, creating an immersive experience that the director described as perfect for the story. The theater was full on opening night, with no empty seats visible.
The cast consists entirely of high school students, most from Booker High School. The group also includes two actors from Venice High, one from Manatee High, one home-schooled student, and one actor who did not name their school. Many of these performers have appeared in previous Players productions or other local theater companies. One member is making her debut in high school theater.
The musical, which originally opened on Broadway in 2001, is set in a city suffering from a 20-year drought. The water shortage forced the closure of public toilets and introduced a fee for urination, a burden that falls hardest on the poor and homeless. Caldwell B. Cladwell, the president of Urine Good Company, controls the facilities. Anyone who fails to pay is exiled to Urinetown.
Henry Mills plays Cladwell, wearing a mink coat throughout the performance to signal his wealth and his ability to avoid the company's public toilets. Gaby Suchan plays Cladwell's daughter, Hope, who is involved with Bobby Strong, an enforcement officer for Urine Good Company. The review noted that the cast could sing, dance, and work together with a skill level comparable to professional productions seen in recent years.
Brian F. Finnerty directed and choreographed the production, which he also designed. Finnerty is a Florida-based actor, director, and production manager at the 95-year-old Players Theatre, which was founded in 1929. He also serves as co-artistic director of the Dingbat Theatre Project, established in 2020. His prior work with many of the students facilitated the production process.
The short run ends on Sunday, Nov. 1. Tickets are available by calling 941-365-2494 or visiting theplayers.org. The Players Studio will next stage 'Between the Lines Jr.' from Dec. 10 to 15 at the same Siesta Key Mall location. Donors interested in the company's new Payne Park location or its 97th season sponsorships can contact Amy Gorman at amyg@theplayers.org or call 941-365-2494, ext. 105.
