Maxwell, Tripp, Karki, & More Set For MMT's THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL 11/6-22

Minneapolis Musical Theatre today announced the full cast and crew for its area premiere of The Great American Trailer Park Musical, the first production in its "Great, Big, Surprising 10th Anniversary Season." Directed by artistic director Steven J. Meerdink, MMT brings this recent Off-Broadway hit to the Twin Cities for a 12-performance run at the Illusion Theater (downtown Minneapolis) from November 6-22, 2009. Tickets are $25 to $28 and are on sale through the Illusion Theater box office at 612-339-4944 or online at www.aboutmmt.org.

Complete with a trashy Greek chorus of trailer park divas, this campy, caustic and lighthearted musical fable is rife with adultery, strippers and murderous ex-boyfriends. Armadillo Acres is Florida's most exclusive mobile home community. But when a stripper on the run comes between an agoraphobic housewife and her tollbooth collector husband, the hurricane of laughter begins to brew. With a backdrop that shines like aluminum siding and colorful characters straight from Dr. Phil, this hilarious new musical reminds us of the value of lasting friendships. An infectious score, cheeky script, and some of the most roof-raising, girl-group singing since the Pointer Sisters, all add up to a fabulous and fun night out.

With music and lyrics by David Nehls and book by Betsy Kelso, The Great American Trailer Park Musical was first performed in the annual New York Music Theater Festival in 2004 and reopened off-Broadway at Bows at Dodger Stages on September 27, 2005.

"We have tried to secure the rights to this show for several years," says MMT Artistic Director Steven Meerdink. "It fits perfectly with our mission of bringing never-before or rarely seen productions to the Twin Cities. This production also stands apart as one of the funniest, most joyful and unabashedly uncouth shows we've ever presented. In these stressful times we need to find opportunities for laughter, and I'm confident Twin Cities audiences will find this show an undeniably entertaining, rowdy good time!"

The 7-member cast for the Minneapolis Musical Theatre's production features Lori Maxwell (Betty), Jodi Tripp (Linoleum), Christine Karki (Pickles), Kim Kivens (Jeannie), Thomas Karki (Norbert), Maria Stukey (Pippi) and Joseph Bombard (Duke).

The artistic staff includes Steven J. Meerdink (Director) Kevin Hansen (Music Director), C. Ryan Shipley (Assistant Director), Joshua Stevens (Scenic/Costume Designer), Grant Merges (Light Designer), Collin Sherraden (Sound Designer), Jay Schueller (Technical Director/Scenic Construction) and Joyce Norman (Stage Manager).

The Great American Trailer Park Musical represents MMT's 19th area premiere. The remainder of the 2009-2010 season includes a touch of Americana in the rollicking Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (April) and a funny ‘twist' on the Jerry Herman classic Mame (June).

The Minneapolis Musical Theatre (MMT) is dedicated to providing community access to high quality yet affordable works of musical theatre never before - or very rarely - seen by Twin Cities audiences. Founded in 1992, MMT has produced nearly 40 musical productions, including an impressive 18 area premieres, to significant critical and audience acclaim. Led by Artistic Director Steven J. Meerdink, the Minneapolis Musical Theatre was the Company in Residence at the Bryant Lake Bowl Cabaret Theater from 1997 through 2001 and subsequently moved to Hennepin Stages (formerly Hey City Theater) in 2002. In October of 2008 MMT moved to its new home at the Illusion Theater in downtown Minneapolis. For more information, visit www.aboutmmt.org.

The Great American Trailer Park Musical
Presented by Minneapolis Musical Theatre

November 6 - 22, 2009
Music and Lyrics by David Nehls

Book by Betsy Kelso
Venue: The Illusion Theater
8th Floor of Hennepin Center for the Arts
528 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403 (corner of 6th and Hennepin)

Tickets:
$25-$28
Box Office: 612-339-4944
Online: www.aboutmmt.org

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