Pickles (Kristen Hipps) are loving life in Armadillo Acres,
a trailer park in North Florida where a
big storm’s about to be a-brewin’.
at Asheville Community Theatre
The New Yorker called this show “more fun than a chair-throwing episode of Jerry Springer set to music.”
The New York Post added that it was “undeniable fun!” The Great American Trailer Park Musical is a wheel-spinning, mud-splattering good time of a musical that’s good-natured – and recommended for those adults who don’t mind strong language.
When Pippi, the stripper on the run, comes between the Dr. Phil–loving, agoraphobic Jeannie who hasn’t left her trailer in 20 years and Norbert, her tollbooth collector husband at Armadillo Acres, a trailer park in Central Florida, the storms begin to brew.
Rounding out the cast of The Great American Trailer Park Musical is Betty, the leasing manager of Armadillo Acres; a woman named Pickles who suffers from hysterical pregnancy; a third resident named Lin – short for Linoleum – who has a husband on death row; and Duke, a marker-huffing ex-boyfriend of Pippi’s. But these folks do not identify as white trash: “I do not work on my tan 365 days a year to be called ‘white’ anything,” explains Betty.
The Great American Trailer Park Musical debuted in New York at The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) in 2004, which led to an Off Broadway run in 2005 and a national tour. This is the first time Asheville Community Theatre has produced The Great American Trailer Park Musical.
Asheville Community Theatre’s production of The Great American Trailer Park Musical is directed by Mark Jones who last helmed ACT’s production of Little Shop of Horrors. Mark has appeared onstage as Lurch in The Addams Family, Corny Collins in Hairspray, and John in John and Jen, which he also produced. Musical direction is by John Crawley. The Great American Trailer Park Musical stars Delina Hensley, Mandy Bean, Chelsey Lee Gaddy, Reeni Lindbloom, Kristen Hipps, Dylan Murray and David Dowd. The set is designed by Jill Summers with costumes by Deborah Austin.
“This show is just fun,” said director Mark Jones. “Ever since I saw a touring production of it, I thought it was a hoot and a half. You can’t leave without having a good time. The cast is just wonderful – they come ready to work and at every rehearsal we’re having fun and laughing all the time. I think it’s going to take Asheville by storm. People are going to want to see it again and again – and they’ll want to bring more people with them when they come back.”
For opening weekend, Asheville Community Theatre is offering the Wheelin’ Dealin’ Special: all adult, senior, and student tickets for all three opening weekend performances are only $19.99.
“This is a show that’s unfamiliar to most people,” said Box Office Manager Waylon Wood. “We know that once people see it, they’ll love it, so we want to offer them an extra incentive if they’ll be first in line.”
Plus, there’s the opportunity to snap up a limited edition koozie with the purchase of a beer!
The Great American Trailer Park Musical, music and lyrics by David Nehls; based on the book by Betsy Kelso.
If You Go: The Great American Trailer Park Musical, June 5-28. Performances Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $25; $22 Seniors/Students. Opening weekend tickets: $19.99. Tickets are available online at www.ashevilletheatre.org, over the phone at (828) 254-1320, or in person at the Asheville Community Theatre Box Office, 35 East Walnut Street, Downtown Asheville.
