#BehindtheCurtain: Get to Know Tyler Sanderlin and Aneesa Ali

Posted July 12, 2023

Urinetown is host to such a quirky cast of characters, and without the talents and hard work of our actors and actresses, this show would be impossible! We’re just one week away from opening this hilarious musical, and we are so excited to introduce a few of the stars! Tyler Sanderlin, a junior at Del Norte High School, is joining us at SDMT for the first time and is playing the role of Bobby Strong, the show’s dashing everyman and revolutionary leader. Aneesa Ali, who is also making her SDMT debut, will be portraying the role of Hope Cladwell, the beautiful young daughter of the show’s antagonist who feels torn between her love for her father and her love for Bobby. These two have such incredible chemistry on stage, and this week we had a chance to get to know both of them more by asking them each some of our most pressing questions! Keep reading below to learn their answers, and then make sure you get a ticket to come see these two stars shine on the SDMT Stage!

What inspired you to get into musical theatre?

Tyler: “When I was young I had always been singing and dancing all around the house whenever I could. When I was a gymnast for a few years, I won a “Best Dance Moves” award one year at the banquet because of how much I was just dancing around during practices. (I also won best cartwheel one year, and yes I can still serve you a clean cartwheel thank you very much) I had some friends who I always saw in their theatre productions, but I always swore I didn’t want to do what they did. Until one time I saw their production of The little Mermaid and decided that I indeed did want to do what they did. I auditioned for my first show “High School Musical” and got cast as a brainiac (photo of said brainiac included below for your enjoyment), and thus started my life in the theatre.”

Aneesa: “For me, I saw my sibling in a production of “Fame” at school and hearing about the experience from them inspired me to do the same once I got to middle school! I’ve loved the journey it’s taken me on since then!”

Does Urinetown have any special meaning to you? If you could tell the audience anything about this show, what would it be?

Aneesa: “Urinetown has a message like no other show I’ve done, it’s able to convey a strong message about the environment—another passion of mine—in a satirical way. So as it combines both of my passions, this show has taken a special place in my heart!”

Tyler: “I heard about this show when I was like 14 and thought I was so cool and quirky because I just discovered this super underground musical no one knows about. I never actually really listened to the whole show at that point but I had already made up my mind that it was hilarious and I would gatekeep it. This show being put on with SDMT and this creative team is just the perfect combo and I couldn’t not audition. To the audience, don’t worry! We know its a really weird title! Just trust us it’ll be a good time!”

Photo by Mark Holmes

Who is your Broadway idol?

Tyler: “Jessica Vosk.”

Aneesa: “My Broadway idol has to be Phillipa Soo!”

What is your favorite scene or number in the show?

Aneesa: “My favorite number/scene in this show definitely is “Mr. Cladwell”. It’s such a fun number.”

Tyler: “Mine definitely is “Run freedom Run”. It’s just a good time/feel good song, and it’s fun to just belt out riffs all over for the fun of it too.”

Photo by Mark Holmes

What is your dream role or dream show to be a part of?

Tyler: “Falsettos is my favorite musical and really I would take any role in that show if anyone is willing to cast me.”

Aneesa: “A show that I’ve always wanted to be apart of is Phantom of the Opera.”

This show deals with a government restriction of toilet use. If you were to lead a dramatic revolution, what future restriction would you be fighting to end? Maybe an imposed limit of iced coffees? Or perhaps the government control of pet ownership?

Aneesa: “In the future, I feel like the government would restrict glitter. If I were able to lead a revolution, we would be fighting against it because yes, it’s bad for the environment but the world would be so dull 🙁 Push for responsible use and cleanup!”

Tyler: “If Raisin Canes ever has to remove the Texas toast from their menu, we ride at dawn.”

What’s been your favorite memory you’ve shared so far with your castmates?

Tyler: “This whole process has just been silly goofy-ness all day long so its hard to just pick one. But shout out to Meg who manages to take pictures on every single cast members phone when we’re not looking. Its like a little gift when you find their selfies in your camera roll at the end of the day.”

Aneesa: “My favorite memory with this cast so far is all of the pictures on disposable film and digital cameras taken!”

What are your dreams for the future?

Tyler: “I’m currently in the process of pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, so hopefully I can get into a good school and live on to have a career in the performing arts!”

Aneesa: “I hope to get a BFA in musical theater in college and go on do professional theater as a career.”

Photo by Mark Holmes

Urinetown Creative Team:
Co-Director and Music Director: Van Angelo
Co-Director and Choreographer: Xavier J. Bush

CLICK HERE to buy tickets!

San Diego Musical Theatre