The not-for-profit ACT is hosting the launch of the touring production under a unique regional contract that will change to a commercial contract once the company goes to Denver's Buell Theatre, Sept. 9.

In San Francisco, the run of Urinetown was extended twice since it began in early summer.

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Urinetown, featuring book and lyrics by Greg Kotis and music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann, is directed by John Rando and choreographed by John Carrafa. The musical won 2002 Tonys for Best Director of a Musical, Best Score and Best Book. The show is a rare fully original Broadway musical — it's not based on previously existing source material.

The musical shattered the previous opening-week record set by ACT's production of Brecht-Weill's The Threepenny Opera, directed by ACT artistic director Carey Perloff in the 1999-2000 season. The new record also represents the largest one-week single-ticket sales total in ACT's 37-year history. "Set in a Gotham-like city overwrought by ecological disaster, Urinetown: The Musical is a tale of greed, corruption, love and revolution in a time when water is worth its very weight in gold," according to production notes. "A depletion of the earth's water supply has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The privilege to pee is regulated by a single, malevolent corporation, which profits by charging admission for one of mankind's most basic needs."

The Broadway company continues to play at the Henry Miller Theatre.

The national tour of Urinetown is produced by The Araca Group and Dodger Theatricals with TheatreDreams, Lauren Mitchell and the American Conservatory Theatre.

The tour cast includes Katie Adams (Soupy Sue, Cladwell's Secretary), Anne Allgood (Josephine Strong, Nurse), Jim Corti (Old Man Strong/Hot Blades Harry), Tom Hewitt (Officer Lockstock), Ron Holgate (Caldwell B. Cladwell), Frank Holmes (Billy Boy Bill), Todd A. Horman (Robbie the Stockfish), Dennis Kelly (Senator Fipp), Jamie LaVerdiere (Mr. McQueen), Beth McVey (Penelope Pennywise), Christiane Noll (Hope Cladwell), Charlie Pollock (Bobby Strong), Richard Ruiz (Officer Barrel), Sheri Sanders (Little Becky Two Shoes/Mrs. Millenium), Meghan Strange (Little Sally), and Christopher Youngsman (Tiny Tom/Dr. Billeaux).

For more information, visit www.act-sf.org.