Local actors talk 'Urinetown'

HACKETTSTOWN — Hailing from towns across Sussex County, local actors will perform in the comedic musical "Urinetown" — winner of three Tony Awards.

The show will run from May 1 to 10 at The Lackland Center, Centenary College’s Theatre Department.

The production is directed and choreographed by Carl Wallnau, Professor of Theatre Arts and Chairman of the Fine Arts Department; Lea Antolini-Lid, Assistant Professor of Theatre and Dance; and Jeremy Hilgert, former Adjunct Professor of Theatre.

Locals to perform
Everyone involved has put in hours of hard work including several actors from local towns.

Cody Riker, a 21 year old junior at Centenary with a performing arts concentration will be playing Dr. Bileaux in Urinetown.

Riker, who hails from Wantage, has appeared in many productions as well as in the Sussex County web-series "Spirit Hunters, The Series" and the upcoming feature film, Hands of Stone. He will also be appearing at Centenary Collage on May 9 in "Shake it Up, Shakespeare."

"The process for the show has been fantastic," he said, "Lea and Jeremy are amazing, they care so much about what they do and they push you to perform your best. The show is extremely witty and at points down right hysterical. Every single member of the cast and crew is extremely talented and it has been a pleasure to work with every single one of them. The show should be seen by everyone. It's appropriate enough to bring the kids but witty enough that adults will get a kick out of it to."

Dominick Garatino, of Byram, is playing Robby the Stockfish in the performance.

He said the most challenging part of getting ready for the production is, "the long hours and dedication."

Garatino has been acting since he was in middle school and said he's obtained skills by being in musicals and dramas. While he was in high school, he performed in shows at The Growing Stage in Netcong.

"So far, this has been an amazing learning experience and it is coming together quite smoothly," Garatino said.

He credits the dedicated staff and student aid.

Cina Gable, of Vernon, is part of the ensemble.

"This is my first musical, so I was glad that even though ensemble is a huge part of the show, that I could observe how all of the actors worked," she said.

She said the show is very funny and that "all of the actors are amazing."

Gable started acting in middle school. At 14, since her high school didn't have a drama program, she started acting at a professional acting studio. From there, she went on to do workshops and showcases with professional casting directors from New York and Los Angeles.

"I actually got a part in a Nickelodeon short for a website called "NickMom," which should air soon," Gable said. "We shot the video in September."

Haley James is part of the rebellion against the Urinegood Company in the production.

The Jefferson Township resident said that the choreography has been the most challenging part of the production because, "the show is full of fantastic dances in a variety of genres." She said that the cast works very well together and is excited about the show. James has been part of other Centenary Stage Company productions and has also been in shows including "Uncivil Wars" and "West Side Story" with the All-Children's Theatre. She's also been in shows with Biryukov Academy of Art and music as well as other productions throughout Northern New Jersey.

The production's choreographer — Antolini-Lid,from Sparta — received her BMA in classical voice from the University of the Arts and her MFA in acting from Brandeis University where she also had the opportunity to teach movement for the actor under the tutelage of Susan Dibble.

Antolini-Lid is the Centenary Stage Company's Education Tour Director and Centenary College Assistant Professor of Theatre/Dance. She has performed professionally in New York City and in various cities on the east coast.

Alexander Kays, of Sparta, has been acting for several years, but this time around is taking on a role backstage. She is in charge of running the spotlight.

"Our set design class built the set and it looks great," Kays said.