Customer Reviews

The Great American Trailer Park Musical [Original Cast Recording]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

My husband and I saw this show in NYC and thought it was very funny! Of course, we are from Florida, and know all about Ole' Sparky, the electric chair. Florida certainly has more than its share of trailer parks, too. The show had a fabulous set, with all the trailers, and the cast was very talented in this cute, nervy, show. I loved the way they did "Road Kill" so low tech with two women with flashlights as the headlights, and a steering wheel harnessed and strapped around the guy's waist. Corny but funny stuff. Had a few little digs in it, too. Maybe I'm sick, but I liked it, a lot.

Maybe you need to see it in the context of the show. I loved the show and the cast recording. To each his own.

This Cd is hysterical. The song writers fill the lyrics with references to pop culture and poor culture. They do a good job of representing life in a trailer park in a humorous but not mean way. The characters are quite relate able. This is a fun CD to listen too and it makes me want to see the show.

This musical is a good laugh and can bring up the spirits of any musical theatre buff. The voices are excellent and they showcase a great characterization of the personages represented in the show. It is a CD that entices the listener to go ahead and get tickets to the show and go see it. Also a personal acquaintance of mine Leslie Kritzer does a phenomenal job on the CD.

This seems to be my year for finding recordings of lesser known musicals that are just awesome. It started with buying Zombie Prom, and continues with The Great American Trailer Park Musical!

But this show is just all-out fun! The tunes are catchy (I got one of them running through my head, right now) and the lyrics are quite clever. The three main ladies become the Greek chorus, telling us about life in their trailer park, Armadillo Acres, located in Starke, Florida. The show then focuses on one agoraphobic housewife who hasn't left her trailer in 20 years, and her husband who has had enough and starts fooling around with a stripper who is on the run from her boyfriend. Sound crazy? It is! And a whole lotta fun!

Yes, there are some explicit lyrics, but nothing excessive. So do yourself a favor and give this album a listen. You might just want to move into your own "manufactured home" before you know it.

Be aware before purchasing that this recording comes with a Parental Advisory warning label which Amazon doesn't mention. The songs in The Great American Trailer Park Musical range from amusing to touching, and most are quite enjoyable, but the unnecessary occasional vulgarity may offend some listeners. Those showtunes would have been just as much trashy fun without dropping the f-bomb. Some of the vocals aren't perfectly polished, but they fit the characters. Flushed Down the Pipes
never fails to make me smile, and Owner of My Heart is an enjoyable ballad.

Saw the show 8 times and loved the music. This CD is what keeps me on my treadmill on a daily basis; it's so much fun - great music, terrific lyrics! Thanks, David and Betsy!