Theater Wit Opens THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL, 8/3

Kokandy Productions will present "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" ("Trailer Park), Aug. 3 through Aug. 26, 2012 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont. Directed by John D. Glover with musical direction by Allison Hendrix and choreographed by Tom Coppola, "Trailer Park" comically demonstrates what happens when you jump out of the frying pan and into the trailer park. The preview performance is Thursday, Aug. 2 at 8 p.m. and opening/press night is Friday, Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. For tickets visit www.kokandyproductions.com or call the box office at 773-975-8150.

"I am excited to be presenting "Trailer Park" this summer with such an amazing cast and creative team," says Producer Scot T. Kokandy. " I guarantee audiences will not only laugh aloud, but be truly moved by the heart of this show."

Set in Starke, Fla., at the Armadillo Acres Trailer Park, "Trailer Park" tells the tale of high-school sweethearts Norbert (Jonathan Hickerson) and agoraphobic Jeannie (Christina Hall). Their nearly 20-year marriage is jeopardized when newcomer Pippi (Bri Schumacher) begins an affair with Norbert. Meanwhile, Pippi's jealous boyfriend, Duke (Alex Grelle), travels from Oklahoma City to Starke seeking his runaway lover. Helping the story along are Armadillo Acres residents Betty (Danni Smith), Linoleum "Lin" (Ashley Braxton) and Donna "Pickles" (Jennifer Wisegarver), three women who introduce themselves and their neighbors in song while setting up the story and its themes.

Music and lyrics for "Trailer Park" are by David Nehls and the book is by Betsy Kelso. Additional production crew includes John Buranosky (Properties Designer), Angela Enos (Costume Designer), Zachary Gipson (Set Designer/Master Carpenter), Katrina Kiss (Stage Manager), Jeffrey Levin (Sound Designer), Rachel Regan (Sound Board Operator) and Andrew Vanderbye (Lighting Designer/Light Board Operator). Accompanying the hijinks at the trailer park is the band under the musical direction of Hendrix, who is also on the keyboard. Rounding out the bans is Dan Toot on guitar, Michael Sinclair on bass and Matthew P. Sitz on drums.

John D. Glover (Director) has directed for several regional theaters in Ohio and Indiana including the grand opening production of the Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana. Glover is the recipient of several awards by the Northern Indiana Excellence in Theater Foundation (NIETF) including: Best Direction of a Musical for "Pump Boys And Dinettes" (1993) at Purdue Theater Company and Best Direction of a Musical for "Floyd Collins" (2009) at the Towle Theater. In 1996, Glover received the NIETF Award for Lifetime Achievement in Regional Theater.

Kokandy Productions seeks to inspire its audiences by producing and presenting theatrical experiences while collaborating with like-minded playwrights, producers, artists, and theater companies. The premier project for Kokandy Productions was "Good Boys and True", co-produced with the Towle Theater in 2011. Kokandy Productions was also part of the 2011 revival of "Godspell" on Broadway.

"The Great American Trailer Park Musical" presents a preview performance on Thursday, Aug., 2 at 8 p.m. Opening/Press night is Friday, Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. The opening weekend schedule includes a performance on Saturday, Aug. 4 at 8 p.m. and on Sunday Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. All performances are at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont. Regular run performances are Wednesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. "The Great American Trail Park Musical" closes Aug. 26. Tickets are $30 and are available by visiting www.kokandyproductions.com or by calling the box office at 773-975-8150.