Great big voices fill the small space slanted between a
worn white picket fence and a silver stream mobile home linked by a half full
clothes line to a blue rental unit. Scene designer Donna Buckalter put enough
lit up Santas among artificial daisy gardens, along with faux fir garlands to
set time of year. Plastic flamingo and webbed lawn chairs denote place. To
guide us through a story of Love Triangle and Villain, we enjoy the
whisky-strong songs of trailer trash Betty (always-in-reds Melanie Souza, with volume,
vigor, vulgarity), Lin (animal print clad Laura Priscilla Hoffman, buxom bewailer of imprisoned hubby), and
Donna "Pickles"/Tina (blond Heather Kopp, youngest, silliest, most
bewildered: is she pregnant?). Of central concern "On the Wrong Side of the
Tracks": trailer couple Norbert (likeable Patrick B. Johnson) and Jeannie
(serious Rita Mazer). For their upcoming 20th anniversary, he wants to take her
to Ice Capades. Problem is, since their newborn baby was kidnapped when she
stepped out of the trailer, Jeannie suffers from agrophobia. Now she just cleans and clings to home.
Enter exotic dancer Pippi (pretty Rebecca Phippard, with
clear enunciation, tone made for
ballads and body graceful even for pole dancing). Pursued by crude boyfriend
Duke (heavy Alex Krumm, threatening in and out of disguise), Pippi rents the
trailer next to Norbert. Soon, as The Girls sing, "It Doesn't Take a
Genius" to see what's going on between the two neighbors. Yet both are
torn. Pippi may really be falling for Norbert, and besides, her sexy job days
may be numbered. Norbert learns Jeannie is practicing getting beyond her front
door. Still, "Storm's A-Brewin'." Sure enough, with revelations,
romances lead to "Panic."
Relationship complications abound. We must learn what's happened to the
principals as well as catch up with The Girls and their fellas before a
tune-filled "Finale."
Owing to the compelling vocal performances, it's worth waiting for,
despite some musical overload. For example, a "Great American TV
Show" at end of Act I merely unnecessarily recaps foregoing action and
"But He's Mine"---though a lovely tune beautifully sung by
Phippard---presents an argument with a contradictory conclusion. Though the
only real characters are the Love Triangle, The Girls, stereotypes all,
interest us more. Heather Kopp playing two people sometimes confuses. Could
another actress take the part of the budding chef?
Kelly Wynn Woodland respects her conservative audience by
not emphasizing the musical's
adult language. Her direction assures the satire is strong but overall
tone is light enough. We thank her
for enlisting Jeannette Ryvicki to create showy, often outlandishly sparkly
costumes. Patrick B. Johnson, well characterized as Norbert by his Florida
orange shirts, aptly choreographed
the fights as did Kelly Burnette the musical backup movement and dance. Jason Brenner directed the mostly fun
music from off-stage. Derick Kitson designed effective lighting, including the
difficult scenes inside Jeannie's trailer. Gabriela Gorka's sound design adds
realism.
Linda Kochmit is Stage Manager. The 1 hr., 50 min. duration includes a 15 min.
intermission.