"It sounds worse than it is," musical director Christine Travalino said of Perry Traditional Academy's musical, "Urinetown."

That's what Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, co-writers of the Tony award-winning show, have said, too. Since "Urinetown" is a satirical comedy, audiences should assume the icky title is part of the fun.

And Ms. Travalino, an English teacher, promises plenty of fun, noting "Urinetown" pays homage to and lampoons popular musicals such as "West Side Story," "Les Miserables" and "Rent."

"Urinetown" takes place in a drought-stricken future in which everyone must pay a fee to use the bathroom or be sentenced to life in a penal colony. Hero Bobby Strong falls for Hope Cladwell, the daughter of a tycoon, just as the poor rise up in revolt.

"It's silly, and it's socially conscious," Ms. Travalino said. Despite their nontraditional subjects, tunes like "Cop Song," "Snuff That Girl" and "Run, Freedom, Run!" are "really traditional musical theater," she said.

Ms. Travalino said a high point of the show is Bobby and Hope's duet, "Follow Your Heart," which is "as silly as it is innocent." Paul Victor plays Bobby, while the role of Hope is double-cast, played by Angie Snyder tomorrow and April 5 and by senior Stephanie Byars on Saturday and April 4 and 6.

Stephanie also acts the part of student director and said that although the cast and crew love the show, it's not all fun.

"We're here probably 18 hours a week," she said, to attend rehearsals and to work on things such as play programs and T-shirts. "I'm supposed to be in biology right now, but we had to deal with costumes," she added.

Senior Anna Washabaugh, who is double-cast as Little Sally and performs Saturday and April 4 and 6, is also production manager and agreed her schedule is hectic. "Right now, the show is my life."

Jyniene Hunt plays Little Sally tomorrow and April 5. Peter Layland plays narrator Officer Lockstock, and Matt Dorman plays tycoon Caldwell B. Cladwell. Layana Biglow plays Penelope Pennywise on Saturday and April 4 and 6, while Cicely Kaikai plays her tomorrow and April 5.

Ms. Travalino said people should come to "Urinetown" to see the "committed, passionate" students and their work, but if they still have doubts, they should heed the words of Little Sally: "The music's so happy!"

"Urinetown" -- 8 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, April 4 and 5 and 2 p.m. April 6 at Perry Traditional Academy, 3875 Perrysville Ave., North Side. Tickets: $6 in advance, $8 at the door. Information: 412-323-3478.

Complete Post-Gazette coverage of high school musicals from every region, including Kelly Critics reviews, is available on the High School Musicals Web page. Access it at www.post-gazette.com/theater/hsmusicals.asp.