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A Social Protest That Holds Water

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: April 1, 2009

EAST TAMPA - In this town, people must pay to pee.

A 20-year drought has caused a critical water shortage. To control its consumption residents are forced to do their restroom activities in public facilities with a fee.

The amenities are owned by the Good Urine Co., under the tight control of Caldwell Cladwell, its money-hungry president, who is out to exploit the poor by charging outrageous amounts for them to do their business.

The Tampa Bay Technical School's drama team plays out the ensuing "pee for free" rebellion by the city's poor.

The play, "Urinetown," is an unconventional musical comedy that pokes fun at capitalism and corporate mismanagement. The TBT production is being led by English teacher and theater director Amanda Depin.

The poor are led by character Bobby Strong, who kidnaps Cladwell's daughter, Hope, a beautiful young woman of whom he's grown fond. The two flee to a secret hideout, joined by the other protestors who vow to fight against her father and the town's other powerful elitists who rule.

"I think that this play is not only fun for all ages, but it has many similarities to today's world," Depin said. "To see it is to say that maybe something like could happen in our future."

The cast of about 25 students includes Jorge Bolanos, who plays the role of Strong; Karen Thorla as Hope; Jamey Feshold, acting as Cladwell; and Bethani Imhoff in the role of Penelope Pennywise, the tough and jaded warden of one of the city's filthiest public restrooms for the poor.

"Before I started in plays, I used to be really shy," said the 18-year-old Bolanos, a senior. "I like playing Bobby Strong. I think he's like the classical hero."

Thorla, 18, the only actor in the production who does not attend Tampa Bay Tech, is a senior at Sickles High. She's acted in about 20 shows, including some at area community theaters. She loves playing the role of Hope.

"She's so over the top about everything," Thorla said. "It's so much fun to be that dramatic."

Feshold, 16, is a junior and is in his third year as a member of the drama team.

"It's my first villain role, and I love it," he said. "I also like hanging out with these people. Everybody is a lot of fun, and you get to meet a lot of personalities."

Imhoff, 16, a 10th-grader, has performed in theaters since she was a small child. But this is her first major role.

"I'm a late bloomer. It feels good," she said.

Bolanos, Thorla and Feshold also played lead roles in Masque Community Theatre's performance of "Beauty and the Beast."

Depin, who has choreographed several other plays, said she requires her students to go to shows at community theaters. She thinks it is good experience for them.

Personally, she prefers working with her students over working in an all-adult acting environment.

"It's so much more rewarding," Depin said. "They have so much heart to give"

IF YOU GO

WHAT: "Urinetown"

WHERE: Tampa Bay Technical School, 6410 Orient Road, Tampa

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today through Friday

COST: $7 for students and faculty; $8 for adults. Tickets may be purchased at the door.

INFORMATION: Amanda Depin, (813) 810-0382

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849.

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