SCH Players Conquer Dystopia and Brecht in Hilarious 'Urinetown' Run

Last weekend SCH Players presented four spectacular performances of Urinetown: The Musical. Taking place in a dystopian town crippled by a severe water shortage, Urinetown tackles heavy topics like climate change, class disparities, and corrupt corporations through absurdity and humor. However, these intense topics were easy conquests compared to the Brechtian style the SCH Players mastered. 

For the first time, the SCH Players cast and crew fully embodied the Brechtian Theatre style. Named for the 1940s Protest Theatre playwright, Bertolt Brecht used Epic Theatre techniques that defamiliarized the audience amidst the production. Throughout Urinetown, both leads and ensemble members directly addressed the audience, interrupted action through song, and shocked the audience with strong front lights and flashlights. 

“When the style perfectly matched the comedy, SCH Players invited the audience to laugh, think, and question their society and its current events from the safety of their theatre seats,” says director Carolina Millard '06. “What’s more, each number was packed with merriment and special effects through tons of lighting cues, set changes, and theatre references ranging from Les Miserables to Hamilton.”