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When the Walpole Footlighters open their first show of the season on October 21, Walpole’s Tracey O’Farrell will be appearing as Jeannie in “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” at the Footlighters Playhouse, 2 Scout Rd., Walpole. This is the opening show of the Walpole Footlighters 93rd season of continuous operation and their 264th production.
Tracey O’Farrell is appearing for the first time on the Footlighters stage, but has an extensive background in theater. She earned a BFA in Musical Theatre from The Hartt School, and performed professionally in touring productions regionally and for Spirit Cruises. After a ten year break, she returned to performing and teaching theatre and dance at Boston’s Riverside Theatre Works in 2012. Recent credits include Velma in “Hairspray”, Gymnasia in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” and performing her cabaret act in the greater Boston area.
The show is a laugh-out-loud musical with a country-rock and blues score. In present day Florida, in a trailer park called “Armadillo Acres” (though there are few armadillos and fewer acres), Betty, Lin and Pickles sun themselves with complete indifference to ozone depletion. Ever hospitable, they set aside their sun reflectors to welcome the audience, clearly not their style. “The Girls” also introduce Jeannie, agoraphobic and unable to step outside her trailer, much to the exasperation of her toll-collector husband, Norbert. Just another day, nothing new - except for Pippi, a stripper-on-the-lam who arrives to stir up trouble on her five inch heels.
The show is directed by Marianne Phinney with musical direction by Dan Moore and Choreography by Lisa Kelleher. It will be performed October 21, 22, 28, 29, November 4, 5 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday Matinee October 30 and November 6 at 2:00 p.m.
Music and lyrics are by David Nehls, with book by Betsy Kelso.
Tickets may be obtained by calling (508-668-8446) or on the Footlighters website at www.footlighters.com.
