Urinetown Character Descriptions

Characterisation

URINETOWN is a hilarious and resonating tale of greed, corruption, love, and revolution in a
time when water is worth its weight in gold.

It is a social and political satire set in a fictional future where a terrible 20-year drought has
crippled the city’s water supplies. Water is so scarce that the government enforces a ban on
all private toilets in an effort to control water consumption. Citizens who try to circumvent the
peeing-fee by relieving themselves in the bushes, risk being taken away to “Urinetown”, a
mysterious place where many have been sent but no one ever returns...

URINETOWN is above all a parody and a comedy. In essence characters are seriously silly
or more accurately, earnestly, seriously silly!! Notwithstanding this description, it is
imperative to make the character as believable as possible. Indeed, this is the comedy of the
show.

LEAD CHARACTERS:

Officer Lockstock

A corrupt policeman and the tongue-in-cheek narrator of our story. Bold and brash. An
authoritative voice, with rich low notes but a firm G4. Excellent comic timing needed and
strong acting ability.

- Suggested Gender and Age: Male, 30+

- Vocal Range: A2 - A4

Bobby Strong

The “good-looking”, rebellious everyman who works for Miss Pennywise at the poorest,
filthiest town urinal. He becomes an unsuspecting protagonist and romantic hero when he
starts a revolution. A clear high tenor; a nimble falsetto is a plus.

- Suggested Gender and Age: Male, 20 to 30

- Vocal Range: A2 - Ab4 (potential C5)

Hope Cladwell

An innocent, romantic optimist who becomes vengeful and determined after being exposed
to her father's evil. A naïve girl who believes there is good in everyone. Falls in love with
Bobby. Key role. Strong acting and singing ability with good comic timing.

- Suggested Gender and Age: Female, 18-25

- Vocal Range: A3 – A5
Penelope Pennywise

The tough, jaded warden of the poorest, filthiest town urinal. Could be younger in real age
but will be made up to look older. A gutsy female character. Strong acting and comic timing
needed. Need to be excellent singer with a belt and potentially shrill up to a G5.

- Suggested Gender and Age: Female, 40+

- Vocal Range: A3 - G5 (potential C6!)

Caldwell B. Cladwell

The president and owner of the Urine Good Company. A tyrant who both gleefully exploits
the poor and genuinely believes he is helping the city. Baritone, needs crisp diction.
Excellent acting with strong stage presence.

- Suggested Gender and Age: Male, 50 to 65

- Vocal Range: A2 – G4

Little Sally

A precocious and irreverent street urchin. She serves as a quasi-narrator who often
questions Lockstock and the play's logic. Needs to be smallish in stature because she is the
‘child’ of the cast. Needs to look young in stage age. A key role. Strong acting, singing ability
and comic timing.

- Suggested Gender and Age: Female 15-25 (to play young teen)
- Vocal Range: A3-E5

THE POOR:

Josephine "Ma" Strong

A strong-willed woman with fight, and a better ability than most to deal with the hard hand
life has dealt her. Strong acting and singing.

- Suggested Gender and Age: Female, 50+

- Vocal Range: Bb3 - D5

Joseph "Old Man" Strong

Bobby's rebellious father. His refusal to follow abusive laws ultimately launches the
revolution. Good acting and comic timing.

- Suggested Gender and Age: Male, 50+

- Vocal Range: Solo dialogue (flexible voice part)
Hot Blades Harry

One of the city’s Poor. Relatively violent and unpredictable. A sadist. Strong acting and
singing.

- Suggested Gender and Age: Male, Any

- Vocal Range: A2 - F4

Little Becky Two-shoes

One of the city’s poor. Rebellious and impulsive, she definitely has a dark murderous
side. Strong actor and singer.

- Suggested Gender and Age: Female, Any

- Vocal Range: Bb3 – F5

Soupy Sue

One of the city’s poor. Kind and anxious. Good acting and singing.

- Suggested Gender and Age: Female, Any

- Vocal Range: Bb3 - B4

Tiny Tom

One of the city’s poor. Immature and confused. Despite his name he is large in
stature. Good acting and comic timing.

- Suggested Gender and Age: Male, Any

- Vocal Range: D3 - A3

THE RICH:

Officer Barrel

Lockstock's patrol partner with a secret. He sees himself as a thuggish and aggressive
policeman yet does show a caring side. Good actor and singer.

- Suggested Gender and Age: Male, 30+

- Vocal Range: G2 – F4
Senator Fipp

A greedy politician in Cladwell's pocket. A coward who hides all his crimes through politics. A
creepy character who seems to lurk in all the wrong places. Strong acting with minimal
singing.

- Suggested Gender and Age: Male, 40+

- Vocal Range: C#3 - F4

Mr. Mcqueen

Cladwell's sycophantic lackey. A servile assistant.

- Suggested Gender and Age: Male, Adult

- Vocal Range: B2 - E4

Other roles to be cast during the rehearsal process: Bobby the Stockfish, Billy Boy
Bill, Dr. Billeaux and Mrs. Millennium