GORHAM – “Urinetown: The Musical” – a 2002 Tony Award winner for best score and best book – will be presented by the University of Southern Maine school of music and department of theater March 16-25.

The premise for this funny musical is what happens when a devastating water shortage makes private toilets illegal, and folks are forced to use public facilities – for a fee.

The corrupt Urine Good Company controls everyone’s most basic need, for profit, until a hero emerges to save the day.

Written by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, the idea for the show came to Kotis during a very low budget trip to Paris, where he encountered pay toilets. The show good-naturedly mocks musicals and their theatrical conventions. A hit during the 1999 Fringe Festival in New York, the show moved to Off-Broadway in May of 2001, then to Broadway that September (its opening was delayed by the devastation of 9/11). It eventually won 10 Tony nominations.

“People love this show because it’s wacky, wonderful, and extremely well written,” said director Edward Reichert. “The creators poke fun of numerous famous musicals that we all know and love (“Fiddler on the Roof,” “Les Miserables,” “Chicago,” “West Side Story”) so there is a familiarity about the play, even though it is something fresh and new.”

The placement of the pit orchestra is unique to the show. Using the original orchestration of five players, the pit will be contained on top of a revolving turntable that actually spins throughout the show.

Despite its potentially troubling subject matter, “Urinetown” is a family show.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. March 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24; and 5 p.m. March 18, 21, and 25 in Russell Hall on the USM Gorham campus. Tickets are $15 for the general public, $10 for seniors, and $5 for students. Call the theater box office at 780-5151 for reservations.