show review.
Betty doesn’t like being called “white trash.” She works on her tan year round so that she’s not white anything. Lin’s husband is on death row so she keeps all of her lights on, hoping there will not be enough power to execute him. Pickles is in a constant state of hysterical pregnancy. Jeannie hasn’t stepped left her trailer, still traumatized by the kidnapping of her baby decades earlier.
These are the women of Armadillo Acres, North Florida’s most exclusive, manufactured housing community. The characters of Betty, Lin, Pickles and Jeannie are funny, well-defined and beautifully played by Julie Stiel, Tina Kaye, Annie Brzozowski and Jennifer Nelson, respectively.
Writer Betty Kelso delivers laughs with whacky storylines. For example, Norbert, a toll collector and husband of Jeannie tries to lure Jeannie from her trailer with tickets to the ice show for their anniversary. Jeannie finds that she can’t leave the comfort and safety of her TV. This leads Norbert to get involved with the new park arrival of Pippi, a stripper on the run from her ex-boyfriend, Duke (Eric Harper). The story would be nothing, however, without the fast-paced direction from Christian Carrara.
Highlights include Julie Stiel as a spot-on Sally Jesse Raphael in “The Great American TV Show,” to which Norbert and the girls reveal Norbert’s affair in a funny, “live TV” confessional. Another hit is “Storm’s A-Brewin’ ” with each cast member playing in front of their own fan which blows their hair wildly around. The music and lyrics from David Nehls are melodic and clever and make full use of a 4 piece, live band backstage. Musical director John Brzozowski perfectly blends the cast and music.
Producer Barbara Gurskey provided audiences with a first-rate evening of entertainment in The Great American Trailer Park at the Edison Valley Playhouse in September. Upcoming shows at the Playhouse include Waiting for Godot from Jan. 25 – Feb 2, The Drunken City from Mar. 1 – 16 and Tick, Tick… Boom! from May 10 – 28. For further information call 908-755-4654 or visit www.evplayhouse.com.
show review.
Betty doesn’t like being called “white trash.” She works on her tan year round so that she’s not white anything. Lin’s husband is on death row so she keeps all of her lights on, hoping there will not be enough power to execute him. Pickles is in a constant state of hysterical pregnancy. Jeannie hasn’t stepped left her trailer, still traumatized by the kidnapping of her baby decades earlier.
