The Great American Trailer Park

#1

The Great American Trailer Park

Posted: 7/22/06 at 4:13pm

Any reviews from the BWW users on here? Anything anyone who saw the show wants to say about it. Is it true that it was a lot like Spelling Bee and The Wedding Singer?

---

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

Updated On: 7/23/06 at 04:13 PM

#2

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/22/06 at 4:33pm

It wasn't a bit like The Wedding Singer. Didn't see Spelling Bee but I don't see how they could be alike.

It was a very funny show, and Off Broadway it had some heavy duty talent that could act and country-belt-sing up a storm.

Shuler Hensley was a prize as the toll collector, who in this musical, is launched to the fore as its lead. He can do dumb like nobody else and still managed to be focal point of the trailer park love triangle.

#3

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/22/06 at 5:13pm

I was surprised how much I liked it. It was NOTHING like either Wedding Singer or Spelling Bee except for maybe the fact that all three shows take themselves a little less than seriously most of the time. Orfeh blew the roof off the theater during her numbers, but even aside from her, the show was way more entertaining that I even remotely expected it to be.

---

Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.

#4

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/22/06 at 5:34pm

It was hilarious. Leslie Kritzer and Linda Hart gave fabulous star turns that were, unfortunately, short-lived.

---

"Goodness is rewarded. Hope is guaranteed. Laughter builds strong bones. Right will intercede. Things you've said I often find I need, indeed. I see the world through your eyes. What's black and white is colorized. The knowledge you most dearly prized I'm eager to employ. You said that life has infinite joys."

#5

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/22/06 at 5:52pm

The show was videotaped for Lincoln Center archive preservation; I was at that performance. They did a wild auction at the end of the show and made a lot of money for Broadway Cares.

#6

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/22/06 at 6:05pm

I have never seen American Trailor Park, but the Great American Trailer Park was just a fun show and as other posters have said before it didn't take itself very seriously. It wasn't a two hour headache like The Wedding Singer and it featured some very nice performances. It's just an escapist musical, doesn't try to be anything else, and you should take it for that.

#7

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/22/06 at 7:41pm

There are dozens of threads about this Muscle. I thought you saw it? I, myself, saw it MANY times and will say, that it should have, could have run alot longer than it did. Orfeh and Shuler Hensley, were absolutely brilliant (no, i don't think that's too strong a word). Matter of fact, it was an all around amazing cast. Some of the book left alittle to be desired but the cast made it work. The album is great even if you didn't see the show, the only number that won't make sense to you is "T.V. Show", otherwise, it's solid as they come.

#8

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/22/06 at 7:55pm

The Great American Trailer Park bore no resemblance to Wedding Singer or Bee whatsoever. It was quick, funny and one big gag. I said many times that the one huge problem with the show was the direction, or rather lack thereof but it definitely could have run longer (as Rup said). There are stories about why it closed so soon, but I'm not going to share. Many of the performances were especially worth seeing.

#9

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/23/06 at 12:36am

"The show was videotaped for Lincoln Center archive preservation; I was at that performance. They did a wild auction at the end of the show and made a lot of money for Broadway Cares."

I was at that performance too, nomedeplume! It was filmed right before it closed...a Friday night I think.

Personally, I thought the show was ok...it was worth seeing though just for "Storms A Brewin." Hilarious song!

#10

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/23/06 at 12:37am

i was at that performance as well! small world

i think it was worth it for the performance given by leslie kritzer. she was simply amazing... brilliant comedic actress, got a set of pipes on her like no other, and was just so fun to watch

---

#11

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/23/06 at 12:44am

Is there an actual plot to this show?

A community theatre in my area is doing a production of it next May and I was curious if it actually had a story or not.

#12

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/23/06 at 12:46am

not really...the book is so thin. it's just about people living in a trailer park.

#13

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/23/06 at 12:55am

Well, there are actually two intertwined love triangles that upset the usual peace and serenity of the trailer park.

#14

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/23/06 at 12:55am

well thats frankly untrue WAT. There is a plot, its not a very intelectually challenging plot, but its there and its funny.

---

when ducks grow thumbs then maybe my opinion will change.

#15

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/23/06 at 1:11am

i'm sorry, i just didn't enjoy it. TONS of people in the theater that night did though, so if your community theater ends up doing this show, i hope you all have a great time and that it turns out to be a huge success.

#16

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/23/06 at 1:39am

Hopefully it will be fun, but a huge success? I doubt it. It's largely known as a family theatre... I really don't understand why they're attempting this show.

#17

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/23/06 at 2:03am

These might be of assistance:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=904177

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=895329

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=886515

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=877410

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=877138

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=876981

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=874067

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=872793

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=871147

Note the spelling of Trailer.

---

"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)

#18

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/23/06 at 2:35am

There's a production of it right now in Houston (Stages Repertory) and it's a big hit...might even be extending the run because it's doing so well. I think it attracts the right crowd...I mean, even from just the title, it's obvious what you're going into. Maybe your family theatre is looking to expand their target audience.

Updated On: 7/23/06 at 02:35 AM

#19

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/23/06 at 2:22pm

I saw the show this week at the Mason Street Warehouse in Michigan. The show is funny, and has good music. It's a cultural satire. The only reason there is a story line is to have one. But, if you have a good cast (like at MSW) it can be very funny.

---

"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." -Stephen Colbert

#20

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/23/06 at 2:29pm

Funny this brought up, just bought the cd of amazon like 2 days ago, people have said this one was good...

---

I made a list of all your faults, it was quite detailed and lengthy too and when I read it through I missed you. Your like a classic Eagles song, you just cant help but sing along even though it sometimes gets annoying too. I just know I want to be wherever I can wake and see you there next to me. **High Fidelity** Love is what I do **The Wedding Singer** Xanadu - Best NEW Musical of the Season!

#21

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/23/06 at 4:01pm

saw the show at mason street warehouse on friday. it was a poor production or a so so show, everything was overplayed and obnoxious!

as i mentioned in an earlier thread this theatre has lost thier great edge and now they are just doing cheesy summer stock!

such a shame

#22

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/23/06 at 4:07pm

It was a very good show with some incredible talent. Leslie Kritzer is amazing and she should be working non-stop. Orfeh is a wonder to behold onstage. Shuler and Wayne were deliciously excellent and Linda Hart was a scream. This show should have had a long run, it's a shame that it didn't. Having said that, the talent is what made this show. I can't imagine it having the same impact in a community theatre.

Oh, and whoever said it was like Bee and TWS must be on crack. Nothing like either one. At all.

Updated On: 7/23/06 at 04:07 PM

#23

re: American Trailor Park

Posted: 7/23/06 at 7:53pm

I just watched this show the other night(dont ask how)and its a blast.
The story is a lot of fun and the music is great to(country music with a twist and disco).
Its a shame it diddnt stick around.