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REVIEWS
The Great American Trailer Park Musical: Hippodrome Theatre
Review
By Dick Kerekes, "Entertaining U: Jacksonville's
Weekly Entertainment Newspaper"
I knew
that Gainesville's Hippodrome Theatre had a hit on
the its hands, even before I saw the show last
weekend. The Great American Trailer Park Musical
by David Nehls and Betsy Kelso, I had learned in
a press release, was about a subject long neglected
by musical theatre, trailer park trash. Oh, there
have been plays but a musical with lots of songs,
now that is what the Redneck world has been waiting
for. Artistic Director Lauren Caldwell realized the
potential audience for this show in North Florida
and diligently pursued bringing it to the Hippodrome
stage.
The
setting is a trailer park called Armadillo Acres and
located in Starke, Florida. (Honest it is). The
story is narrated by bleached blondes Betty (Cindy
Thrall), the park manager, Pickles (Mackenzie
Curran), a gorgeous but scatterbrained seemingly
pregnant tenant, and Lin (Jennifer Anderson), whose
real name is Linoleum, because her mother gave birth
to her on the kitchen floor. These three females are
like a Greek Chorus and sing backup on every number
in the show.
Also
living in this park is Jeannie (Catherine Fries
Vaughn), an agoraphobic (someone who has a fear of
open spaces) who has not left her trailer in 18
years, since her baby was kidnapped and never found.
She is married to a dimwitted turnpike toll
collector, Norbert (Mark Chambers). He wants to
celebrate his 20th anniversary by taking his wife to
the Ice Capades, if he can get her to leave the
house.
The
plot thickens when a runaway stripper, Pippi (Kelly
Atkins), moves into the park and begins to have an
affair with Norbert. Further complicating things is
the final character Duke (Ted Stephens III), Pippi's
magic-marker sniffing boyfriend who has been chasing
her all across the country from Oklahoma.
Well,
that is enough said about the plot and I am
certainly not going to reveal the exciting
conclusion to this redneck thriller. I will tell you
the show closes on an inspirational note, with words
of wisdom that are bound to find their way into
collections of famous quotes. Are you ready? "I
gotta make like a nail...and press on."
Before
I comment on the excellent performances, I need to
tell you some rules. The Hippodrome expects you to
wear clothing and shoes if you attend. You cannot
bring in your own moonshine but management is making
a special exception for this show. You may bring in
any drinks you buy at the bar downstairs. (They
figure some of you are going to need all the help
you can get to swallow this story).
Scenic
Designer Mihai Ciupe makes us feel at home with his
mobile homes, palm tree and even the Starke water
tower! Yup, some of ya'll will really feel at home!
Marilyn A. Wall's costume design has some simple
costumes for the most part, but adds some colorful
razzle-dazzle flashy outfits for one of the big
numbers, "The Great American TV Show." All I need to
say about Kelly Atkins's costumes is to re-emphasize
her occupation's a stripper, and that is enough
said. Oh, fellows, Pippi does a terrific pole dance
at the local Litter Box Show Palace, but if you
bring your wife or girlfriend try not to look too
happy during the dance.
This
is your chance to hear songs with titles like "Flushd
Down the Pipes," "This Side of the Tracks," and
"Road Kill." The music is upbeat and lively, a mix
of rock, gospel and country.
The
outstanding voices make this show a winner. Golly, I
have never heard four females in a show with such
vocal talents. Mark Chambers is always a hoot, and
he too has a marvelous voice. If the name Kelly
Atkins sounds familiar, you must be an Alhambra
Dinner Theatre fan as Ms. Atkins has been in many
musicals at that Jacksonville theatre over the past
several years.
This
show opened in 2004 in New York, and this is the
first production anywhere else in the USA. It could
become a cult classic. One never knows. I recall
critics panned Hairspray and Rocky Horror
Show and they went on to make millions so maybe
it is time for the Southern culture to make its mark
in the musical theatre world.
There
are 8 shows a week for the next 3 weeks, Tuesday to
Friday at 8:15 p.m., Saturdays at 5 and 8:30 p.m.,
and Sundays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Call 352/375-HIPP or
visit their website at thehipp.org. WARNING: This
show contains bad wigs, road kill, very crude
language, a runaway stripper and spray cheese.
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