LA Review: 'The Great American Trailer Park Musical'

David Nehls and Betsy Kelso's 2004 spoof musical declares its intentions from the get-go: to poke fun at everything associated with trailer parks and those who call such places home. The stereotypes of such folks—those who are poor, uneducated, and speak with a Southern twang—are the basis for Kelso's book and Nehls' lyrics. Such clichéd portrayals could barely support a full-length show, so as with other contemporary satirical musicals, "Trailer Park" views its characters with sympathy. Director Jack Millis and his cast sketch portraits that invite empathy as well as laughter.

Our focus is Jeannie (Anna Kate Mohler) and Norbert (James Daniel Finnerty), high school sweethearts nearing their 20th wedding anniversary. Trouble appears in the form of Pippi (Erin Miller), a stripper on the run who lures Norbert from his marriage while trying to hide from Duke (Adam Poynter), her possessive redneck boyfriend. The trio of Betty (Patti Cumby), Lin (Candice M. Clasby), and Pickles (Kat Gutierrez) functions as the play's Greek chorus, commenting on the affair, Jeannie's reaction to it, and Duke's attempts to get Pippi back.

Millis' cast members are perfectly attuned to the show's cheerfully loopy tone and their vivid characters. Though both are involved with Norbert, Jeannie and Pippi couldn't be more different. Agoraphobic Jeannie stays in her bathrobe and slippers, the TV her only companion. Mohler plays up Jeannie's loving support of her husband while soft-pedaling her phobia and her efforts to conquer it. Miller's leggy, hardhearted Pippi has fended for herself for most of her life. She fears clownish jackass Duke's loaded gun but feels loved and protected by the gentle Norbert. Miller delivers her character's tough, sensual, self-reliant nature. Norbert is a nice guy devoted to Jeannie and their sexless marriage yet excited by Pippi's physicality. Poynter aptly paints Duke as both a buffoon and a dangerous, gun-toting wacko. Cumby's Betty is forceful, matching up well with Clasby's smirking, streetwise Lin. In pleasing contrast, Gutierrez's teen Pickles is a goodhearted if none-too-bright softy.

Nehls' score skillfully taps several musical genres—including country and western, R&B, and Motown—and Andy Zacharias' onstage keyboard playing provides a solid foundation. As musical director, he gleans sizzling, powerful vocals from Miller, Clasby, and Cumby and assured singing from Finnerty, Gutierrez, Mohler, and Poynter. Jon Gaw's ingenious, modular set design and David Campos' Midwestern- and Southwestern-inspired costumes put the finishing touches on a show that's a hoot but also stirs our emotions.

Presented by and at Stages Theatre, 400 E. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton. June 8–July 29. Fri. and Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. (714) 525-4484 or www.stagesoc.org.