Urinetown: The Musical is a satirical comedy musical that premiered in 2001 with music by Mark Hollimann, lyrics by Hollmann and Greg Kotis,   and book by Kotis.[ It satirizes the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporte mismanagement, and municipal politics. The show also parodies musicals such as The Threepenny Opera, The Cradle Will Rock, and Les Miserables and the Broadway musical itself as a form. 

Urinetown debuted at the New York International Fringe Festival, and then was produced Off-Broadway at the American Theatre for Actors from May 6, 2001, to June 25, 2001. The musical then opened on Broadway at the Henry Miller Theater running from September 20, 2001, through January 18, 2004, totaling 25 previews and 965 performances. It was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and won three, for Best Book of a Musical, Best Score of a Musical, and Best Direction.  

The School of Theater and Dance offers the right combination of scholarship, experience, and creativity. The program presents an effective blend of academic work, production experience and creative thinking—to prepare you for a productive and successful life in Theater. Housed in the Communications Building on the Southwest corner of the Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus, the Theater program combines the advantages of a large research University experience with the excitement of a fully-functioning theater production company. With a core faculty of working professionals and scholars, the department awards degrees at all levels of academic higher education: B.A., B.F.A., M.F.A. and Ph.D.