By Emma Hoffman ’16, Arts and Entertainment Staff Writer

Last year, students involved in the Newark Academy drama department were shocked to hear that Mr. Jacoby would not be directing the 2015 spring musical. Instead, the duo of Megan Ferentinos, director and choreographer, and Mr. Viraj Lal, musical director and assistant director—both of whom had worked on two previous Newark Academy productions—will take the helm of the musical. Many questions flew through the air: why was Mr. Jacoby taking a sabbatical? Would Mr. Lal and Ms. Ferentinos be taking on the directorial role permanently? How would the experience change as a whole?

The first noticeable change came when the musical was announced — or rather how the musical was announced. Every day leading up to the announcement, Mr. Lal posted clues on the choir room door, which included pictures of a bunny and of a scene from Les Miserables. Changes are also making their way to the rehearsals. As junior Laura Boyman put it, “I feel like this year we’ve really upped the intensity level. We’re rehearsing pretty much every day even though it’s early in the process. But,” she adds, “I’m having a great time.”

Mr. Lal himself is adjusting to his changing role, saying that, “It’s really new for me. Normally, I take on more of a side role but this year I’m tackling more of a directorial role, which has been both challenging and exciting.”

The musical itself, Urinetown, marks a return to ensemble-based shows after last year’s The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which was written for a cast of only nine. Urinetown is a satirical comedy that tells the story of a town experiencing such a severe drought that citizens are required by law to pay a fee to go to the bathroom. If they do not comply, they are sent to the mysterious penal colony known as “Urinetown.” Jake McEvoy ’18 plays Bobby Strong, the hero who leads a rebellion against the Urine Good Company, and Lauren Katz ’17 plays Hope Cladwell, his love interest. Joshua Martin ’16 and Gabi Poisson ‘17 narrate the story as Officer Lockstock and Little Sally, respectively. The musical also features Matt Thekkethala ’15 as the villainous Cladwell B. Cladwell and Erin Mooney ’16 as Penelope Pennywise. David Robusto ’15, Peter Torres ’15, and Parnika Sharma ’17 round out the cast.

Urinetown opens on February 26^th and runs until the 28^th.