THe Story of The Great American Trailer Park Musical
How it began
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Prior to its New York debut, "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" began its journey as so many shows do – two kids meet on tour performing "The Rocky Horror Show" for German audiences, one has an idea, the other says "no," the former insists and collaboration commences.
That's pretty much what happened when David Nehls approached Betsy Kelso. Throughout ensuing development, characters would come and go – as would songs and plot points – but the spirit of the show was the constant. "Armadillo Acres" is a come-as-you-are kind of place, where personalities and predilections may be loud, but hearts are soft. A series of staged readings and workshops led to a sold-out run at The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) in 2004, which led to the 2005 Off-Broadway run produced by Tony Award winners Jean Doumanian and Jeffrey Richards, and directed by Kelso. The original Off-Broadway cast featured Tony-nominated actors and recipients, along with accomplished performers up and down the musical comedy spectrum: Marya Grandy (Linoleum), Linda Hart (Betty), Shuler Hensley (Norbert), Kaitlin Hopkins (Jeannie), Leslie Kritzer (Drama Desk Award Nomination for her performance as Pickles), Orfeh (Pippi) and Wayne Wilcox (Duke). |
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"A show that actually lives up to the hype of its title."
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THE VILLAGE VOICE
Where it's been
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Since its New York premiere, "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" has been produced in nearly every state in the Union. International productions include the U.K., Australia and Canada, where the show was translated into French for a production in Montreal. In 2013, the Christmas-themed sequel opened in Houston, Texas – The Great American Trailer Park CHRISTMAS Musical, also by Nehls and Kelso.
Upcoming in 2025 – more regional theatres and a new production in South Africa! |
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"A bright new show with its altogether terrific cast."
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The New York Times
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What it's about
The story has, at its center, a love triangle between an agoraphobe, a highway toll collector and an exotic dancer with an unhinged ex-boyfriend. A Greek-chorus-eque trio of trailer park women helps guide the narrative, playing any character or gender they choose while breaking the fourth wall at whim to air their own dirty laundry. The result is a sense of informality and community – the lifeblood of neighborhoods and IRL connections everywhere.
Roughly two decades after its New York premiere, "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" continues to connect with audiences and sold-out crowds. Beyond the broad comedy and pro-wrestling-worthy confrontations, the show is about rising above our impulses, our mistakes and our surroundings to make a future we can believe in despite the past. |
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"More fun than a chair-throwing episode of Jerry Springer set to music."
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THE NEW YORKER
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"The Trailer Park meets South Park in this big-hearted new musical comedy with a cheeky script by Betsy Kelso and an infectious score by David Nehls."
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THE NEW YORK SUN
Logo design: Todd Alan Johnson
Set design, page background (top): Scott Penner – Hart House Theatre, Toronto, ON
Set design, Off-Broadway: Derek McLane
Pictured: Marya Grandy, Linda Hart, Shuler Hensley, Kaitlyn Hopkins, Leslie Kritzer, Orfeh, Wayne Wilcox (photos: Scott Landis, Bruce Glikas)
Set design, page background (top): Scott Penner – Hart House Theatre, Toronto, ON
Set design, Off-Broadway: Derek McLane
Pictured: Marya Grandy, Linda Hart, Shuler Hensley, Kaitlyn Hopkins, Leslie Kritzer, Orfeh, Wayne Wilcox (photos: Scott Landis, Bruce Glikas)
