Emily Melville, Michelle Volpe Roe, Carolyn Hogan, and Xandra Michele Photo by Rhonda Sigler-Ware

I had the pleasure of seeing it on opening night, and found it a genuinely hilarious, wildly creative delight. Shout out to Marcelle Cady, the Adobe Theater's communications manager, for bring it to my attention. I'm very glad to have seen it.

"Redneck" to the extreme, delightfully low-brow, and with cliched humor, this production of The Great American Trailer Park Musical is populated with more than a half dozen players who fully commit to their characters, who are over the top with raucous repartee and familiar stereotypes.

The plot, (such as it is) tells of the residents of Armadillo Acres and the chaos which ensues when Pippi (Michelle Roe), a stripper on the run from her ex-lover, the magic marker sniffing Duke played by Russell Rietmann, who was kidnapped as an infant and raised, for some peculiar reason, as a dog. When Norbert (Eddie Dethlefs) becomes romantically entangled with Pippi, his wife, the agoraphobic and remarkably sexless Jeannie played by Laura Cummins Wright, who I think I saw some time ago as an excellent Patsy Cline at Musical Theatre Southwest, falls into somewhat of a decline.

The story unfolds with the help of a "Greek Chorus" consisting of Carolyn Hogan's hilarious Betty, Lin (short for Linoleum, where she was conceived) played by Emily Melville, and finally, the always pregnant, at least in her own mind, Pickles, brought to life by Xandra Michele. This trio alone are worth the price of a ticket. I'm always glad to see any production with Carolyn Hogan as a cast member, her remarkable sense of comic timing always evident; her wonderful portrayal as "Veta Simmons" in The Adobe Theater's Harvey is a fantastic example of her talent.

Every aspect of this production is well thought out and presented with strategic creativity. The opening night audience reacted with genuine enthusiasm, leaning forward in their seats to better embrace the on-stage action. The commentary provided by the Greek chorus propels the show forward with often lightning speed and constant hilarity. Their enthusiasm is infectious and their narration provides a perfect foil for the betrayed wife's ballad-style woes. The vocal talent on display is very impressive, with Melville being particularly remarkable.

The cast of seven provide more entertainment than double that number. I really enjoyed the entire raucous, adult-humor packed eccentrics who break the fourth wall with delightful familiarity, even welcoming us back after intermission.

Director Cameron Illidge-Welch, popular and highly thought of, if the number of appreciative mentions sprinkled throughout the cast's bios are anything to go by, must have had a great experience assembling the various aspects of this production with his aide de camp, stage manager Amy Lynn Hillard. The live, almost onstage musical accompaniment beautifully yet unobtrusively provided by Hawkins Gardow gives us ditties such as "This Side of the Tracks," "It Doesn't Take a Genius," "Owner of My Heart," the hilarious "Road Kill," and the all-cast "Finale."

Choreographer Zane Barker's dance numbers add zip and enjoyment, set designer Felix Wallace, ably assisted by resident set painter Linda Wilson, provides a very creative and versatile set, built by a quartet consisting of Shannon Flynn, Boyd Wise, Eric Andreas, and Steven Higgins. Costume designer Jason Godin, with thanks also due to Kim Love and Albuquerque Little Theatre, presents us with a stunning array of outlandishly wonderful costumes. Jordan Claghorn's props–bedecked walkers and aluminum wrapped sun reflectors–and lighting by RayRey Griegos round out the production talent.

The Great American Trailer Park Musical runs through June 21, 2026, at The Adobe Theater, 9813 4th Street NW, Albuquerque NM. Performances are Friday and Saturday 7.30pm, Sunday 2.00pm. For tickets and information, please visit adobetheater.org or call 505-898-9222.