“F-ing hilarious!” and “Are they trying to make me pee my pants?” filled the corridors of SF State’s Creative Arts building as students and guests exited the new comedy “Urinetown: The Musical.”

Every year, the SF State Player’s Club, a theater organization on campus, chooses one show to be produced each spring. This year, by means of cohesion and collaboration, the all-student performance moved beyond the conventional or mundane college fare into an edgier, more original creation.

Productions in the theater arts department typically have two to three months to prepare for opening night. In almost half the time, the students assembled a cast, created the choreography, designed the set, tailored the costumes, orchestrated the music, and coordinated the lighting for the show.

“I’m amazed at how dedicated we’ve been and how we’ve come together,” said “Urinetown” director Joey Price, 21.

Price has headed the production for the club’s shows for the last two years. Last year he wrote and directed “Emo! The Musical,” a show about the wonders and pains of being an “emo” kid in contemporary times.

This year, Price chose another satirical comedy, “Urinetown,” by Greg Kotis and Mark Hollman about a fictional town where the depletion of water has made the privilege to pee an expensive proposition controlled by one private company.

According to Price, the audition process, held in a large dressing room, went very quickly, taking just one day at the end of the fall 2006 semester.

“The auditions were like a revolving door,” said senior BECA major and Player’s Club publicist Eugene Lovendusky. “Some people auditioned and were thanked quickly within minutes.”

Students were asked to sing 16 bars of music and present a short comedic monologue for each of the auditions, which, in cases like Lovendusky’s, who landed a part, lasted about an hour.

Before the audition, many practiced their pre-performance rituals, everything from a few good vocal warm-ups, to stretches or jumping in place to get the blood flowing.

Stage manager Maura McGowan, 22, and assistant director Josh Hillinger, 21, helped judge the auditions with Price, who ultimately made the final decision.

“It’s easy to make judgments about anyone or anything. But it becomes a matter of believing in your opinions and trusting your instincts,” said Hillinger of his judging duties.

On a similar note, Price said she, “really looked for comedic people, timing, and those who could learn quickly.”

Senior education major Robert Lopez, 28, was asked to do several readings during the audition process, he said they were easy because the judges “helped to create a relaxed atmosphere.”

Out of a pool of 34 students, Lopez and Lovendusky were two of those who auditioned and were called back the same day to be cast in one of the 16 parts.

Rehearsals started almost immediately, during the first week of January, and were held up to five or six days a week for four or more hours a day.

The cast memorized lines, learned the choreography, and later synchronized with all other aspects of the production: the band, lighting, and set design.

Joaxim Luis, 30, senior music education major, hadn’t picked up a saxophone in almost 13 years, but joined the band last minute to help with the show.

“We had one week of nonstop preparation to synch to the performers,” said Luis, who had originally wanted to act as a performer but couldn’t find time to audition.

While some performers were nervous, others said they were terrified. But most were enthusiastic to finally perform in front of a real, live audience.

In the cramped quarters of the Little Studio Theatre on Feb. 2 the colorful stage was overflowing with vibrant voices, loads of energy, and hysterical dance routines.

“I used a lot of yellows to capture the urine theme, but I didn’t want to go overboard,” said senior technical theatre major and lighting designer Travis Bruley, 24.

The characters were illustrated in a broad spectrum, ranging from outrageously sour to sugary sweet.

Standouts among the cast were Amanda Dolan, 21, as the tough-as-nails Penelope Pennywise, Simone Goldstine, 22, as the insightful Little Sally, Sarah Farrell, 22, as Hope Cladwell; and Robert Lopez as Bobby Strong.

In addition, there was an eclectic collection of music, ranging from upbeat to gloomy and classical to contemporary. Billy Boy Bill, played by Price Troche, exhibited real soul in his brief solo part during the second act.

Another strong performance, was “Snuff That Girl,” sung by Austin Ferris who played Hot Blades Harry.

“Bing! Bang! Boom! Let's get tough, playin' rough, snuff that girl!” sang Ferris, 21.

In the middle of the number, Farrell, who was tied up, freed herself momentarily to sing and dance alongside Ferris. The crowd burst into laughter.

“It was great to hear people laughing,” said Hillinger.

More brilliant scenes followed, with Pennywise’s fight scene, where she screamed “hi-yah!” followed by a hilarious scene where another character disguised herself as a clock for an entire scene, swinging her arms back and forth making vigorous ticking sounds.

There was a musical number entitled “Run freedom, Run” where the cast paused and just stared at the audience. The amalgamation of sweat, intensity, and passion was powerful. It was a clear delineation of their efforts.

After the show had ended, the cast and crew received a standing ovation.

“I thought it was really well-done,” said Daniel Fabricant, 27, who graduated last spring with bachelor’s degree in music and education. “There was good energy and a good mixture of strong voices and acting.”

In the halls of the Creative Arts building, hugs and smiles were infectious among the cast and audience members. There were even a few random spurts of tap dancing and singing.

“I’m not really a fan of musicals,” said corporate finance senior Erin Brooks, 22. “But I’d totally recommend this one.”

According to Theater Arts Chair Yukihiro Goto, SF State’s theater department is founded on performances that are directed by faculty and guest professionals in order to “properly train students.”

After a month of preparation, the consolidated student production staff exhibited new possibilities for what the theater department can be— talented, strong, passionate, and entirely self-directed.

“I’m always nervous in terms of how people will perceive [the show],” said Price. “But I’m confident in the work that’s been done and we’ve had a really great time doing it.”

Remaining shows will be Feb. 8, 9, and 10 at 8 p.m., and Feb. 11 at 2 p.m.