by dick kerekes dickkerekes@yahoo.com
Holy ham sammiches!! Currently on the stage of FCCJ's Wilson Center on Beach Blvd. you will have the opportunity to see the fabulously tacky Armadillo Acres Trailer park, the setting for The Great American Trailer Park Musical. All this good stuff goes away on Sunday May l8th, so put on your brightest clothing and take your uncluttered mind to experience this musical treat by calling FCCJ at (904) 632-3373.
The story is about an array of unforgettable characters during a recent month at a trailer park located in Starke, Florida. Jeannie (Erica Livingston) has not left her trailer since l988, when her baby son was stolen. As she struggles to try to take her first steps out of her home so she can celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary, her husband Norbert (Dave Howard), gets involved with the pelvis pumping Pippi (Sara Ruzicka) a stripper on the run from her psychotic boy friend Duke (Dane Agostinis), who stays high by sniffing cooking spray and magic markers.
The story is told by a trio of terrific gals, who can sing up a storm and of course are residents of this here trailer park. Betty (Doreen Barnard) the park manager, Pickles (Lindsay Devino) who suffers from hysterical pregnancies and Lin (short for Linoleum since she was born on the kitchen floor), played by Maryanne Piccolo. They wear various outrageous and colorful costumes as they sing songs about hurricanes, road kill, TV and, of course, romance.
The titles of a few of the songs should give you an idea what to expect. "Storms A Brewin", "The Buck Stops Here", "This side of the Tracks", "Flush down the Pipes "and "Road Kill." The music will never make any hit parade, but it is catchy and certainly challenging to all the performers. I can honestly say I don't recall hearing four finer female voices on stage at the same time. These gals are good, and great comediennes too.
I could go on and on into the various odd ball situations that occur, but I am lost for words to describe such goings on and you really have to see it. The set consists of colorful two mobile homes you can actually see into (wow). The yard features such lovely things as old tires, pink flamingos, TV antennas and satellite dishes. It is a visual treat if you are in to that sort of thing.
David Nehls wrote the music, Betsy Kelso authored the book and the musical has been a hit everywhere it has played. In fact, a summer run at Gainesville's Hippodrome Theatre set new attendance records (must have been all those people from Starke, going back again and again). Steven Smeltzer served as director, a name I seem to remember as a performer at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre some years ago.
I was surprised that the women out numbered the men two to one in the opening night audience and I really though I must have walked into a production of Menopause by mistake. It is a fast paced show with a weird but happy ending. The language can be very earthy at times, and lots of sexual references but other than that it is pure as the driven snow and lots more fun.
Oh, if you go you will have the opportunity to buy some really tacky looking souvenirs, like hats, t-shirts and cigarette lighters out in the lobby. In addition, while you are at the Wilson Center, check out the art gallery inside to the right which is features some really great art work by high school students.
This show is a crowd pleaser, especially if you are not searching for the meaning of life, but just want to enjoy some dad gum redneck humor.
The Wilson Center is on the South Campus of FCCJ and is a wonderful venue to see this play.
Article Published in the May 2008 Issue of EU Jacksonville
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