The Great American Trailer Park Musical [Original Cast Recording] [Cast Recording]

David Nehls (Composer), Paul Ranieri (Performer), Orfeh (Performer), Damien Bassman (Performer), David Purcell (Performer), David Matos (Performer), Kaitlin Hopkins (Performer), Leslie Kritzer (Performer), Linda Hart (Performer), Marya Grandy (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Paul Ranieri, Orfeh, Damien Bassman, David Purcell, David Matos, et al.
• Composer: David Nehls
• Audio CD (January 17, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Ghostlight
• ASIN: B000CNE13M
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,458 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The show (and Recording) ROCKS, September 26, 2006

By 

Adolpho Blaire "To Rule The World" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great American Trailer Park Musical [Original Cast Recording] (Audio CD)

The whole point of theatre, even in a tongue-in-cheek satire like this one, is to have some sense of truth. The "Great American Trailer Park Musical" completely hits the target dead-on. With it's ridiculous pop culture references, use of white trash musical pastiche (honky tonk country, corporate rock, wedding disco, and the like), and general use of bad taste in a visual (and audio) aesthetic, the show is one loaded joke that never tires. And the over the top performances, all grounded in this evident truth, provide an evening of Laugh after Laugh - more so than similar pieces like "Urinetown" and "Altar Boys".
Sure the language, for those who have expressed concern in above reviews, can be strong at times. But never is the language used in a matter of fact fashion. For those who have ever even remotely hung around a trailer park (as it quite Clearly states in the TITLE) or even around those who inhabit a Sociologists Jackpot of research, You know that crude humor and strong language are staple of the norm.
"Oklahoma" and "Cats" this show is not. However, "Great American Trailer Park Musical" is a definite piece to listen and pay attention to. With the general climate of new musicals to be either repackaged musicals from movies (Wedding Singer, Hairspray, Footloose, etc) or jukebox musicals (Mamma Mia, All Shook Up, Hot Feet, etc) - there is a new genre that is emerging, the "in-joke" musical. Trailer Park, Altar Boys, Spelling Bee, and title of show are examples of this. These are shows that blur satire and exaggeration with real life all the while dealing in a specific subject matter.
"Trailer Park" is a hip, new and exciting piece of music theatre, even if not groundbreaking. For those who like to play it safe may I suggest the "20 Great Broadway ShowStoppers" CD - all songs are from 1932 to 1949. You will be sure no profane language will infect you there.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart, Creative, Moving, Great Trailer Park Musical, February 13, 2006

By 

Y. Yoffe "broadwayfan98" (NYC, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Great American Trailer Park Musical [Original Cast Recording] (Audio CD)

One of the best Off-Broadway shows I have ever seen. Thank god for this recording. The songs are smart and some even moving, funny and make you feel like you're in the theatre. Def. a great buy for every theater lover. A MUST HAVE.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Of My Favorite New Musicals In Years, January 30, 2007

By 

Arts Entertainment Group (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Great American Trailer Park Musical [Original Cast Recording] (Audio CD)

When I tell people about this show, I tell them it is far better than it had to be... With a title like that, the audience draw is already built in, but with great songs and a very clever story (without ever being offensive or degrading) this musical is a fun hit. And while it is not the old-school "Okalhoma" style musical, there are a lot of musical niceties about the show - layered melody lines, tight harmonies and clever clever phrases and lyrics. I fully recommend it.