Review: 'The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical'

Dedicated with love to the cast of THE LAST SUPPER back in Naugatuck

Oakville, CT - THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK CHRISTMAS MUSICAL is a holiday companion piece to THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL that was recently presented by Landmark Community Theatre earlier this year. Although I unfortunately missed the latter when it ran, I was excited to see the holiday version running at the Phoenix Stage Company, formerly of Naugatuck and now at its new home in Oakville. I laughed my way through the two acts of this fun show that opens the Phoenix’s season now entering its tenth year.

Christmas at the Armadillo Acres Trailer Park in Florida is the brainchild of Betsy Kelso with music and lyrics by David Nehls.

Holiday time at North Florida's Armadillo Acres means everyone's filled with warmth and beer. But when a freak bout of amnesia strikes the trailer park Scrooge, neighborly love is put to the test. With Betty, Lin and Pickles on hand to amp up the fracas and festivity, this all-new musical is just as much of a cat-fightin', sun-worshippin', chair-throwin' good time as the original – but with tinsel and Keg Nog.

Ed Bassett directed the merriment with his wonderful sense of comedy. Sean Lewis, in his debut at the Phoenix, once again served as music director in the trailer park. Michael Calabrese returned to serve as stage manager for the companion piece, in addition to overseeing NEVERLAND CHRISTMAS at the matinee. The members of the band made the musical numbers sound great; Mr. Lewis covered the keyboard, THE Dave Wilson was on drums and Jewell Hearon played guitar seated upon an elevated platform stage right.

The cast of six worked so well together to bring to life the wonderfully drawn characters that inhabit the trailer park. Martha Irving, in her Phoenix Stage Company debut, took on the role of Darlene Seward, the resident Grinch of Armadillo Acres. Ms. Irving can sing, as we heard when she “showed off” in the role of Janet Van de Graaff in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE in Goshen, but here she proved that she can act as someone not as nice. Ms. Irving played Jeannie in the THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL in Thomaston and is happy to be reunited with her trailer park family. She is the subject of the number “The Twelve Days of Amnesia.”

Cheyenne Walent (a wonderful Chaperone in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE) had the big voice and an even bigger stage presence to tackle the role of Betty. In her bio, she invites us to “put a beer in your hand, don’t get your tinsel in a tangle, and enjoy your trip to Armadillo Acres, y’all.” As her fellow members of the Greek chorus of trailer park neighbors, Emily Flynn (FOOLS at PSC, SOMETHING ROTTEN at the Warner) played Pickles and Patty Guarantano (TRAILER PARK MUSICAL with Landmark and much more) reprised her role as Linoleum, whose mother gave birth to her on the kitchen floor.

I was so impressed by the comedic performance of Phoenix regular Brian Elser (also in DROWSY CHAPERONE with Goshen Players) in the role of the man with many jobs, Rufus Jeter. I have almost watched Mr. Elser grow up on the stage at the Phoenix Stage Company, even before he was part of THE LAST SUPPER: A MUSICAL ENACTMENT at the Naugatuck venue. I knew that he would sing well, and he nailed the comedy of his character. Rodney K (FOOLS, BASKERVILLE at PSC) was a riot in the role of Jackson “Jackie” Boudreaux in a brown leisure suit.

I would warn you to leave your political correctness, as well as your children, at home. I wasn’t particularly offended by anything in the two acts, but be forewarned that there is plenty of foul language. The detailed set included lots of trailer park decor and the band stand is decorated with a bear can menorah and pink flamingos.The costumes once again designed by Lori Poulin featured some authentic leisure suits and big hair. Fun choreography was done by Foster Evans Reese and the director, and Karen Willey must have had fun collecting the trashy props for the sequel. From her bio: “She first visited the trailer park when it was located down at the Thomaston Opera House and is happy to go on a hunt for things y’all need in your new digs.” Al Hathway worked his magic with the lighting design and Jim Luurtsema was the sound engineer. Kudos to Aric M. Calabrese, Michael Cassidy and Heidi Wallace for stepping up to serve as running crew.

The audience at the packed opening night included were Frank Beaudry, Justin Torres, Dr. Michael Elser, Tim and Laurie Phillips, Jonathan and KC Ross. Thank you for coming out to support your friends, y’all! TGATPCM runs through December 15, 2019 at the Phoenix Stage Company Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm.

Phoenix Stage Company will be hosting a Cabin Fever Fundraiser on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 at 6:00pm at Daveluys Restaurant, 150 Echo Lake Road in Watertown CT. All you can eat pizza and salad with soda and water provided for $20 per person. A cash bar will be available and there will be a basket raffle, too. Purchase your tickets at the box office or call 860 417-2505.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. She appeared in the 2012 production of THE LAST SUPPER at the Phoenix Stage Company when it was in Naugatuck, CT. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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