Having done the show as well as others that are truly controversial, when challenged, I have given the powers-that-be the script to read. Urinetown itself, mocks the title in the very beginning but from then on, it's a great show to teach aspects of theatre as well as environmental issues. It's truly thought provoking. Deciding who are the "heroes" by the end of the show is enlightening relative to today's politics.
When either issues, language, or sex were the challenging issues, I went to the middle school librarian of my district and asked for a list of books on the shelves that have vulgar language, descriptions of sexuality, or the issue under discussion. She handed me a long list which I took to administration and sent to the BOE saying "These are books that are available to every student in the district." I then made the point that a theatre production is attended by people who have purchased tickets. If parents don't wish their children to see a show because of storyline or language, they have that option. I also had a director of Fine Arts who felt that in today's world parents can "google" and research anything so as to determine the worth of attending a performance. When the question of how you prevent an elementary school student attending a particular show, I've put a recommendation of all posters sharing the there is "Strong Language, or Mature Content."
Some of the controversial productions I've directed:
Sweeney Todd (challenge-violence, my rebuttal, theme "vengeance is self-destruction)
Rent
And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank
The Laramie Project
26 Pebbles (a 'moments' kind of play about the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting)
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