Urinetown Eats

We all know the rules - No Pay, No Pee. No poo either (can I say that?) I can't tell you how much trouble we would all be in if that rule applied backstage. Why? Well, besides the fact that it would take a chunk out of anyone's budget if they had to drop some cash to use the rest room, we'd all be paying double, because we never stop eating backstage. Every show is a new buffet in the Swift Creek Mill Green Room. Two weeks ago, Fernando (Robby The Stockfish) brought in lemon blossoms. Cute little sugar glazed lemon flavored muffins. A week later, he brought round 2. Obviously they were a hit. Candy is a popular choice at the mill, recently the candy corns and even larger candy corn pumpkins have been gracing the food counter. I guess that's something I haven't explained yet. In the green room, there is plenty of counter space for make up and props etc. But there is one little area where the water cooler lives and everyone who's worked at The Mill knows that if food is left on that counter, it's for everyone. Fruit baskets to celebrate opening night to brownie bites from Ukrop's, if it's on the counter it's up for grabs. A veteran food bringer at SCMT is Betty White. Betty has brought us her staple crab dip, and her never fail avocado guacamole, fruit, brownies, dips, you name it. When I know Betty is bringing us food, I skip dinner. That's how much of it I eat. Finally, we have a selection of desserts. Every time a cast birthday comes around, we get a Ukrop's birthday cake. Icing flowers all around! And lucky us, Michael Rieman (Tiny Tom) works at Coldstone Creamery and brings us lots and lots of free ice cream :-) Thanks Michael.

So that's the backstage poop. Nothing but a vast eating frenzy. And we wash it all down with a fridge full of sodas and a never empty 30 cup coffee urn.

-- Brett (Bobby Strong) Ambler

Little Sally with the Poop on Opening Night of Urinetown

Opening night of "Urinetown: The Musical" at Swift Creek Mill Theatre. Final note of the opening number. Energy is palpable- house is packed, fog is swirling, instruments are blaring, voices are belting, and we all cut off on the proper beat and hold our positions- our expressions dripping with character as the applause swells. We all enjoy the applause and feel excited and more devoted to our characters than ever. And then- a hand stretches out of the darkness of the audience and slowly reaches closer and closer until it pokes one of the cast members in the arm. The hand quickly retracts and the owner turns excitedly to her companion and we watch them share a conspiratorial giggle over her having had the nerve to touch the people onstage. I feel sure they thought we didn't notice.This occurrence was an exceedingly appropriate beginning to the run of a show that has been a rollicking good time each night from curtain to curtain. While individual audience members' responses are varied, as is true with any show, overall people have been wonderfully supportive, really getting to the spirit of things about halfway through Act I. I enjoy sitting in a dirty heap in the floor of the wings and laughing right along with the audience every night at certain lines. I also enjoy having a gander at the faces of the audience at one point in the show (which I won't go into detail about here so as not to ruin a surprise for those who have yet to attend). Expressions range from face-splitting grins all the way to "If you come one step closer I will spontaneously evaporate." By Act II, many audience members have become very involved and are volunteering lines for us to say. So all in all- should you be reading this, I think you should come see this show. You'll have a great time. We sure do. - Audra Honaker (aka Little Sally)