For those seeking a fun night that is a welcome diversion from the politically charged atmosphere of late, The Great American Trailer Park Musical will deliver that and more.
The dinner theater production, which is a collaboration between Bradford Little Theatre and the Limestone (N.Y.) Volunteer Fire Department, will take place at the Limestone Community Center in Limestone on Jan. 20-21.
“In November, we were approached by Marcia Wymer and Eric Van Dross, who are very involved in local theater in Olean (N.Y.) and Bradford,” explained Kristin Asinger, Bradford Little Theatre president. “They did this show three years ago, and it was such a success people have been asking them to do it again. They thought it would be a good fundraiser for us and the Limestone Fire Department.”
The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with drinks and trailer park-related games until 7:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., and the show will start at 7:30 p.m. Organizers said the buffet dinner will feature pulled pork and beef on weck cooked by the firemen. The VFD is also handling drinks and a 50/50 giveaway, while BLT is in charge of tickets for the event, giveaways and logistics, according to Asinger.
Jim Rounsville of the Limestone fire department explained that dinner will include the meal and two drink tickets for certain legal beverages or soda, at a cost of $30. For other adult beverages, a cash bar will be available.
The proceeds from the event will be split between the organizations. The show is an event that requires attendees to be age 21 or older due to some inappropriate content.
“The stage is set in Armadillo Acres, a fictitious trailer park in Florida,” Asinger said. “The main male character has a wife who hasn’t left the trailer in 20 years. The last time she left, someone stole her baby. The male is trying to get her to go out on an anniversary date.
“It is a comedy, and there will be talented singing and a lot of fun.”
Shane Oschman of Bradford plays the male lead. Wymer is the show’s producer and also a member of the cast. Van Dross is the show’s director. The rest of the cast is a mixture of Bradford and Olean area residents.
Asinger explained the evening will include trailer park-themed games, like the toilet toss where participants must toss a roll of toilet paper through a toilet seat; a Spam carving contest; a flamingo ring toss, where the ring will be aimed at the neck of a pink flamingo; a possum toss; and other fun diversions. The event will include many giveaways and prizes for the winners of the various games.
Attendees are encouraged to dress in their favorite trailer park attire.
“This event is not for those who are easily offended,” Asinger said. “But for those who are looking for a fun night out during the winter, you are in for a fun and silly night.”
Tickets are available at Togi’s Restaurant, Graham Florist and the Limestone Fireman’s Club.
“Sales have been picking up lately,” Asinger noted. “There are 200 tickets per show. We are excited to see them selling. This is a nice fundraising show to do. Both BLT and the (Limestone) Fire Department depend on people to donate money so that we can do what we do.”
