The Great American Trailer Park Musical (8/24/05) — Page 3

Huh. This thread has taken an interesting turn. I just got back from tonight's performance, and when its tone is just goofy instead of satirical, this is a great show. The score was good- "Flushed Down the Pipes" and "Storm's A-Brewin'" were especial gems- and the performers all had their moments. I think Linoleum could use a little more definition, though.

Anyway, I'm too tired to post a full review, but suffice to say that if it finds a consistency of tone and clears up some character motivations in the first act, this could be a really good musical.

ETA- Actually, one major complaint. I couldn't make out the lyrics a great deal of the time. Admittedly, I was in the front row, but come on. With those stupid "rock" mikes, you'd think I could hear the singers.

Updated On: 9/1/05 at 01:00 AM

Score was facile (if not inspired). Book and lyrics were dreadfully self-conscious. The cast was tremendously funny (even if the material was not). The direction was fantastic (excellent pacing).

A passable waste of time, if not a great step forward for the American musical.

Just my opinion, I may be wrong.

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Updated On: 9/1/05 at 09:50 AM

Wow. Did I see the same show? I thought this was possibly the worst night in the theater in my life. I love all of those performers, but I felt that it was one joke (barely) being screamed and overamplified. Blecch.

"Worst night of theatre", not exactly, that honor goes to the Bachrach review from a few seasons back, but it is quite possibly the most poorly directed show I've ever seen and I cannot stress enough how in need of a real director it is.

Is that the review we've been waiting for, Plummy?

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You're waiting for my review? *boggles* I spent much of yesterday shuttling back and forth from a Green Day concert, and today I actually have work at work, so it'll have to wait.

I think they pushed it back because they got a new choreographer.

Saw the show for the first time last night. A few thoughts:

Leslie Kritzer has amazing comedic timing, and she does wonders with her part. The stand-out performance by far.

Wayne Wilcox is one of the most boring actors I've ever seen on a stage. And he can't even sing all that well. I lost interest every time he came on-stage, except for his schtick at the Stand by Your Flan with Kritzer.

Kaitlin Hopkins was passable in her role... I had bigger expectations. Although, thinking back on it, she DID have some pretty dreary material to work with, and I quite liked her on the better stuff like "Flushed Down the Pipes". We'll see what happens when the show officially opens.

Shuler Hensley did as much as he could with his role. He was enjoyable. Nothing more, nothing less.

Orfeh is an INCREDIBLE singer. Like, really, really good. Her acting was spotty, though. There were moments when she was totally believable as Pippi, and other moments when she was very forced. I couldn't actually tell if it was her fault or the director's fault.

The other two narrators, Linda Hart and Marya Grandy, did nothing for me except when they were playing characters within the story. The Sally Jesse Raphael thing was hilarious, and likewise with the scene in the Litterbox dressing room at the end. Otherwise, I was unimpressed. And I agree with the person who said that they seem to wait for the audience to laugh at unfunny material at certain points in the show.

Overall, the musical has a lot going for it, but it needs a major tightening up. Norbert, Jeannie, and Pippi need to be made more interesting... their "serious" storyline is fine, but it really slows the pace of the show as is. As harsh as it sounds, Duke should be recast.

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Ruprecht was the one who pointed out how obviously Marya Grandy was mugging and begging the audience for laughs. And while I enjoyed L.Kritzer fine enough, I found her to be a bit guilty of that as well.

I agree that Orfeh is an arrestingly marvelous singer,not to mention physically stunning, I'll go so far as to say, she's spine tingling. But even though I know I sound like a broken record, I CANNOT fault ANY of the actors for how they're *acting* is or isn't coming across. This poor cast is saddled with one of the most INEPT directors of all time. I'm sure they had their reasons for postponing the opening, but if it wasn't to bring in a new director, than they're wasting everyones time as this woman is never going to get a shred of directorial talent.

Wait, you mean to tell me that doesn't work Plum?

I'm possibly going to see tomorrow's matinee, if I do, I will try and fixate on something other than the ineptitude of the direction. who knows, maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.