Jerry Springer, once a practiced observer of trailer park culture on his talk show, will host The Great American Trailer Park Pageant at Dodger Stages (340 W. 50th St.), sponsored by The Great American Trailer Park Musical. The pageant, held on Thursday, November 17th, will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Contestants are currently being sought for The Great American Trailer Park Pageant, which is a "once-in-a-lifetime contest to crown New York City's very own king or
queen of the trailer park. Each contestant will have one and a half
minutes to perform their unique trailer park talent, and will also be
judged on their outfit and trailer trash personality. Examples of
talents include singing, hula-hooping, and beer-chugging… be creative.
The crazier the better! Our celebrity judges—including Michael Musto
from the Village Voice—will then narrow the field down to a handful of
finalists, who will endure a grueling interview process about why they
think they are qualified for this great honor," according to press notes.
Prizes will be "bountiful and appropriate:" the winner will be 'crowned'
at a performance of The Great American Trailer Park Musical as the
show's official spokesperson, and will represent the show at all future
regional and international productions. They will also be included in
a special advertising campaign. Other prizes will include cases of
Pabst Beer, dinner at Spanky's BBQ, a year's supply of Moonpies, a
year's supply of Dean's Beans coffee, talking trailer trash dolls, and
many more.
The Great American Trailer Park Musical, with music and lyrics by David
Nehls and book and direction by Betsy Kelso, is now playing at Dodger
Stages (340 West 50th Street). The score of the show, which stars Shuler Hensley, Orfeh, Leslie Kritzer, Kaitlin Hopkins, Linda Hart, Wayne Wilcox and Marya Grandy, will be preserved on a cast recording in early 2006 (it will be on Sh-K-Boom Records). In the musical, "an
agoraphobic housewife must tear herself away from Dr. Phil long enough
to leave her trailer and save her marriage. Why the sudden fuss after
being safely tucked away for nearly 20 years? Armadillo Acres' newest
tenant--a hot, young stripper with an questionable agenda. With
guidance from a trailer-trash style Greek Chorus (three local women
with phobias, neurosis and hang-ups of their own), the story unfolds."
To enter for a chance to participate in TheGreat American Trailer Park Pageant, e-mail trailerparknyc@gmail.com with a photo and description of your unique talent and trailer trash character/personality. All proceeds benefit Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS' Gypsy of the Year event. Tickets to the pageant go on sale Thursday, November 3rd and are $10 each—they are available on www.broadwaycares.org or by calling 212-840-0770 x. 268.
The Great American Trailer Park Musical plays Monday and Tuesday at 8pm, Thursday-Saturday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm, and Sunday at 3pm and 7pm. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or via Telecharge at 212-239-6200.