by Patricia Measer
The Olean Community Theatre (OCT) presents special performances of “The Great American Trailer Park” musical, this Friday and Saturday, March 3 and 4. This show is a supplement to their regular season, and is a fundraiser to benefit the maintenance fund for their new location.
OCT, which was founded in 1979, has been performing at various venues around town over the years, but never had their own theatre until recently. They finally found their “forever home” about a year and a half ago, when they purchased the old synagogue on Barry Street.
Paula Bernstein, who is the producer of the show, said that the building needs some updates and repairs. New auditorium seats were already installed last year in preparation for their first season in the new building. Also, a new stage and orchestra pit were built. They are keeping the historical parts of the building, such as the original glass and the wall coverings. But now they need to take care of some of the “boring stuff”, Paula notes, including updates to the plumbing and wiring. Proceeds from this show, as well as the second season shows, will go a long way toward that goal.
When asked why “The Great American Trailer Park” was chosen as their fundraiser, Paula responded,
“This is a fun and silly show. And it’s a great show for community involvement. We hope to get people to attend who usually don’t like going to the theater.”
One unique feature of this show is that the cast interacts with the audience, before, during and after the performance. Doors open early at 6pm and there will be backyard games, such as cornhole and rope ladder, as well as food, drinks and a raffle. The ad for the show calls it some “good redneck fun.” Admission includes two drink tickets. The show itself starts at 7:30pm.
The Guide to Musical Theatre describes this show as “a country-rock and blues musical about agoraphobia, adultery, ’80s nostalgia, spray cheese, road kill, hysterical pregnancy, a broken electric chair, kleptomania, strippers, flan, and disco.”
The official website for the musical bills the story as a love triangle between an agoraphobe, a highway toll collector and an exotic dancer with an unhinged ex-boyfriend. A Greek-chorus-eque trio of trailer park women helps guide the narrative, playing any character they choose while breaking the fourth wall at whim (i.e. conversing with the audience) to air their own dirty laundry. The result is a sense of informality and community – the lifeblood of neighborhoods everywhere.
Almost twenty years after its New York premiere, “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” continues to connect with audiences and sold-out crowds. Beyond the broad comedy and Jerry Springer-worthy confrontations, the show is about rising above our impulses, our mistakes and our surroundings to make a future we can believe in despite the past.
Paula said that while it does have some adult language and themes, the show doesn’t take itself seriously. She encourages everyone to attend, as this is “a great opportunity not only to support a wonderful organization, but also to have a fun relaxing evening.” She added that that the theater has had a great relationship with the community over the years, and continues to need community support to cover the resources involved with owning a building.
Tickets are only $25 each and can be purchased on Olean Community Theatre’s website. http://www.oleancommunitytheatre.com/
If you are not able to attend any of the performances of this show in Olean, you have a second chance to see it at the Hollywood Theatre in Gowanda, On April 21 and 22.
The Olean Community Theatre is located at 127 S. Barry Street, Olean, NY 14760.