Playhouse to host ‘Great American Trailer Park’
Trending
MCCONNELLSTOWN -- "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" will pull into the McConnells-
town Playhouse on Aug. 21.
Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Aug. 21-22 and 28-29, with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Aug. 23 and 30.
With music and lyrics by David Niehls and book by Betsy Kelso, this Off-Broadway sensation turns everyday neighborhood gossip into a high-energy theatrical spectacle. Leave your expectations at the door, and get ready for a wild ride through Armadillo Acres.
The residents of this tin-can township in Starke County, Florida, aren't just characters: they're the narrators of their own wild lives.
Norbert and Jeannie, a couple whose marriage has stalled due to Jeannie's 20-year bout of agoraphobia, find their routine upended when stripper on the run Pippi moves in and begins a scandalous affair with Norbert.
The trailer park also plays home to a Greek-chorus-like trio of women Betty, Linoleum and Pickles -- each dysfunctional in her own right.
The arrival of Pippi's obsessive, magic-marker-sniffing ex-boyfriend, Duke, threatens to tear the park apart.
The resulting chaos eventually forces Jeannie to step outside her trailer, leading to a hilarious and heartfelt resolution about love, risk and forgiveness. Featuring bad choices, good music and unforgettable characters, this satirical masterpiece serves up a perfect blend of rock-and-roll energy and laugh-out-loud comedy.
"'The Great American Trailer Park Musical' reminds us all not to take ourselves too seriously," said Director Oscar Pollock. "You'll see laughter and tears. Anger and heartache. These ludicrous characters remind us that we have all fallen short at one time or another, but it's how we choose to pick ourselves up and press on that matter most!"
This production contains adult themes, electric blue humor and a fair amount of trashy fun. It may not be suitable for children under 16. Parental discretion is advised.
The residents of Armadillo Acres include high school sweethearts Jeannie and Norbert Garstecki (Tara Lee Donahue and Clay Glenny) and nosey neighbors Betty, Linoleum and Pickles (Jen Powell, Kylee Roles and Jennifer Beaver). Rounding out the trailer-park tempest are Pippi (Ashley Stuber), a runaway dancer looking to escape away from her past, and Duke (Will Renninger), her redneck ex who's armed, dangerous and completely off his rocker. This is Stuber's first production with The Playhouse.
The creative team includes Pollock (director), Abby Lambert (musical director), Caleb Donahue (stage manager), Keith Sutton (lights) and Rick Brown (sound).
Tickets can be purchased at mcconnellstownplayhouse.ludus
.com or by calling the box office at 814-627-0311. Tickets are $18 for regular admission and $16 for seniors (ages 60 and older), students (ages 6 and older) and military personnel.
For more information about this and other upcoming productions at The Playhouse at McConnellstown, visit www.littletheater.com or follow us on Facebook.