SLT'S 'The Great American Trailer Park Musical' is funny, entertaining

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A very clever set design invites the audience to the Armadillo Trailer Park in Sumter Little Theatre’s current production “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” and certainly takes the audience “This Side of the Tracks.” Although the actors have “all of their own teeth,” they are the delightful, stereotypical “wrong sides of the tracks” residents.

Is the play the best musical ever? NO. But is it funny and entertaining? YES. Are the voices the strongest ever? NO. But are the voices appropriate and full of sincerity and feeling? YES. Does the play have songs that you would sing or hum? NO. But are the songs important to develop the story line and characters? YES. Are the characters Broadway quality? NO. But are they believable and full of good characterization and enthusiasm? YES. Does the play offer a strong moral or significant meaning? NO. But does the play provide an evening of fun and laughs? YES.

“The Great American Trailer Park Musical,” ably directed by Traci Quinn, offers the audience an evening of relaxation and some great visual vignettes.

Songs like “Flushed Down the Pipes” with Jeannie (Alyssa Gibbs) and the Girls — Betty (Rachel Horne), Lin (DD Martin) and Pickles ( Ariel Wilkie) and “Road Kill” with Duke (Morgan Wood) and the Girls include clever choreography provided by Libby Singleton. Whether singing and dancing or acting, the three Girls give their roles life and interest with their individual nuances, establishing clear character types. Horne’s voice and character portrayal is aggressively strong and commanding, Martin delivers humorous vocal and visual messages, and Wilkie adds the touch of surprises. Cierra Stewart is perfect as Pippi. Her singing voice is full of rich tones and control; her performance as a stripper is convincingly appropriate without being offensive. Although Johnny Osteen’s voice is sometimes hard to hear (there were several weak sound areas throughout the play and at times most of the singers were hard to hear) his vocals project his character and temperament as Norbert. Gibbs’ voice grows in strength as does her battle with agoraphobia.

Sylvia Pickell’s costume choices further enhance the visual impact of the “this side of the tracks” crew. Linda Beck, David Shoemaker and Darren Polutta add lively and well performed musical background.

Even though publicity has stressed the “adult” aspect of the play, it was not unnecessarily offensive but rather dotted with a few adult word choices or scenes but never vulgar. Sumter has multiple levels of acting abilities. This play was strong local little theater with a cast that worked hard and provided a rewarding evening of just plain fun.

“The Great American Trailer Park Musical” runs Thursday through Sunday and again Oct. 26 through Oct. 29. Sundays performances begin at 3 p.m., all others at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students, seniors and military. The show is recommended for those 18 and older. For more information, visit www.sumterlittletheatre.com or call (803) 775-2150. SLT is located at 14 Mood Ave.