This past weekend, TCU’s chapter of Alpha Psi Omega staged a production of Urinetown in the TCU Opera’s black box theater.

Urinetown is a comedic dystopian musical where a drought has forced a ban on private toilets and a monopoly on public ones. A corporation known as Urine Good Company charges citizens to use the restroom. Bobby Strong, played by senior acting major Charise Pisani, leads a rebellion against the company for the “privilege to pee.”

This production featured gender-bent casting of most of the main characters, offering a new perspective on the themes of the play. The choice allowed members of APO to take on roles they may not typically be cast in.

“The gender-bent nature of our Urinetown was definitely a unique aspect. Personally, I had a blast playing Bobby Strong,” Pisani said. “I thought it was impactful for women to be portraying these overly masculine stereotypes, and then the show ending with the good guys losing — it helped exaggerate that these archetypes do exist and that our world currently faces devastating issues as a result of that.”

Alpha Psi Omega, founded in 1925, is a national theater honor society. According to the group’s official website, it is “a vibrant community of passionate individuals united by their love of theatre and their commitment to excellence, creativity and collaboration.”

“APO has been one of my favorite parts of TCU. I love my family so much — initiation is always a blast,” Pisani said. “I’ve been provided with so many fun, unique performance opportunities because of it. I’m so grateful to have joined this incredible organization.”

Urinetown was produced off-Broadway before moving to Broadway in 2001. It was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and won three. In February, the musical was revived as part of New York City Center’s Encores! series, with Jordan Fisher and Christopher Cantwell Fitzgerald starring as Bobby and Officer Lockstock.