December 1st started a month that’s jam-packed with holiday programming from performing arts organizations in Columbia. Though most of these offerings are squeaky-clean traditional fare, the curtain went up on Trustus Theatre’s third production of The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical on Friday - and it is definitely for those who wish to be on the naughty list this year. Next to the legacy of The Rocky Horror Show at Trustus, Betsy Kelso and David Nehls’ Trailer Park franchise is probably the theatre’s second-runner-up for the most productions, having found a home on the theatre’s stage five times in the last thirteen years.The show will run through December 17th, and it is completely sold out, save for some standing room tickets that you may be lucky enough to get your hands on. So, this review is simply for posterity, or perhaps to give the theatre some pull-quotes that they can use in their marketing of the show next season (should they decide to bring it back).
Under the hysterical direction of Robin Gottlieb and Music Director Randy Moore, The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical tells the story of Armadillo Acres’ very own Grinch, Darlene (Brittany Hammock), whose neighbor Rufus (Kevin Bush) is a certified Christmas Nut. After Darlene shocks herself on a cable-splitter, she suddenly loves Christmas, and is possibly falling in love with Rufus. However, with the entry of Darlene’s “breastaurant” owning lover, Jackson (David Fichter), the plot thickens. Darlene shocks herself again, Jackson buys the trailer park and decides to kick everyone out, Rufus drinks too much 99 cent gin, there’s a BIG fart joke, and everything gets tied up with a big bow on top for a very satisfying ending. It’s a simple and predictable plot for sure, but what makes these musicals so appealing is the Greek Chorus of Betty, Lin and Pickles (played by Vicky Saye Henderson, Lauren Roberts and Bella Coletti respectively). This trio glues the proceedings together, and breaks the fourth wall at the very top of the evening - so it's clear that we’re all experiencing these shenanigans together, and the rules are: there are no rules. It’s fun, it’s hilarious, it’s bawdy and it clearly resonates with Columbia audiences.
This production boasts one of the strongest local ensembles in recent history, and you can tell that they are not only a group of craftspeople, but that they were also directed to play and explore within the rules of the storytelling - and the end result is exceptional fun. Trustus Company Member Brittany Hammock, clad in neon leopard print and donning a hilarious 1980s glamour-shot-worthy perm, expands her comedic range in this show, proving why she is one of Columbia’s most trusted musical theatre talents. Hammock has dipped her toes into comedic roles in recent history, but this one requires a full commitment to the outrageous, and she keeps us laughing with her cutting dialogue and fully-realized physicalization. As soon as Darlene appears with a “Paradise By the Dashboard Light” entrance, we instantly know this woman because we can see she is a walking Floridian cigarette (though she’s not a smoker, but you get the idea). Company Member Kevin Bush as Darlene’s foil, Rufus, pours heart into the the character and the audience can’t help but pull for him the entire night. His solo number “Black and Blue on Christmas Eve” demonstrates Bush’s command as a singer and comedian, and summons plenty of guffaws as he wears a derelict Santa suit while holding a bottle of 99 cent gin. Rounding out this half of the cast is David Fichter as the dislikable Jackson. While he’s not an obvious soloist like his castmates, Fichter’s velvet-track-suit-with-gold-chain-wearin-kinda-guy portrayal is perfectly oily and right at home in this ensemble.
Now to that glue we were talking about earlier, our Greek chorus: Betty, Lin and Pickles. These characters appear in both iterations of the Armadillo Acres saga, and they’re probably the reason people like these shows so much. In the role of Lin (short for Linoleum) is Lauren Roberts, and we are so glad to see a talent like hers come to Columbia stages. Having logged some hours doing exhausting shows at Carowinds, Roberts is a powerhouse with great vocals and timing. Bella Coletti as Pickles was facing a tall order when she came into this role, as it has been played by some of Columbia’s great young talents prior to this production. She was right at home in the role, and has joined a rather sacred sisterhood. We will hope to see more of Coletti and Roberts on our local stages as they have proven their mettle by so successfully bringing to life, in their own way, characters that have lived in the Trustus gestalt for over a decade. Welcome to Lady Street, ladies.
In the case of Vicky Saye Henderson as Betty, we’re not sure that the stories from Armadillo Acres would have had such a stronghold at Trustus without Henderson leading the proceedings. Seeing Henderson in this role is a masterclass in character creation, and living in the moment on stage. She has lived in this character for thirteen years, and it is a joy to witness it. As soon as she came on stage at the top of the show, one could feel the audience perk up. Sources say that Henderson will be moving North in the near future, so whether or not her final bow on the 17th will be the last time we see her on the Trustus stage - her time as Betty has been a helluva comedic ride and deserving of the standing ovation that occurred on opening night when she took her bow.
The production team gets high marks for their cohesive designs that serve the play, provide effective tempos to push the story forward at all moments, and their work gets just as many laughs as the script. Corey Langley (Scenic Design), Teddy Palmer (Lighting Design) and Matthew DeGuire (Property Design) worked together to create an Armadillo Acres on stage that felt truthfully lived-in. Every detail seemed carefully considered to provide a sense of place, right down to the Florida billboard that veils the band upstage during the performance. Sound Designer Matt Pound and board operator William Kervin dialed in the audio with extraordinary precision. The band actually got to rock, the vocals were as clear as a crystal statue of Tammy Wynette, and the sound effects added to the production with cinematic presence that got a lot of laughs. One has to giggle when considering a sound designer sitting at home with headphones on, trying to find the most effective fart sound.
Speaking of sound, Music Director Randy Moore has also worked on every Trailer Park production since 2010. In his position he has to drive the show and, in turn, is just as responsible for the comedic possibilities. His sense of humor is obvious everytime the band has to signal a character’s changing viewpoint or a curveball that’s thrown into the plot. He also got the cast and band to unite under the umbrella of 80s rock and 90s country music. The performers bring us a touch of Reba with a dash of Garth, and it sounds great.
For those of you who secured tickets to the show, you’re in for a good time with a great team. However, after seeing a couple of people leave at intermission due to being offended, we would recommend you check in with your sensitivities. If you can’t handle a Christmas show with the word “fuck” in it, you might want to give them to a friend who enjoys National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (this musical is like Randy Quaid’s character multiplied).
For those who didn’t get tickets, we hope you’ll look out for “on sale” dates when you see them from our local performing arts organizations in the future. Buying early is better for everyone, the interested-patron and the presenting organization. Since you won’t get to go to the trailer park this Christmas, you can still enjoy the classic songs of Irving Berlin, get spirited away with Ebenezer, or take in that classic ballet where a girl gets drugged at her daddy’s dinner party and falls in love with a guy who eats nuts. You’ll find something to do here in Soda City because, as the residents of Armadillo Acres sing, “FUCK IT, IT’S CHRISTMAS!”
The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical runs through December 17th at Trustus Theatre. You may call the box office and ask to be added to the waiting list in case there are any cancellations (which will undoubtedly happen): 803-254-9732.