Honey, I’m not in the mood…

You’ve got to be in the mood for San Diego REP’s production of The Great American Trailer Park Musical. You’ve got to be willing to park your brain down by the empty pool and just let it all wash over you (and hope you won’t feel slimed from what remained after the water drained out).

The story, such as it is, puts forward about every stereotype you could think of if you were going to write a musical about the denizens of a Florida trailer park. There’s Jeannie (Courtney Corey) who hasn’t been outside her trailer in 20 years of marriage, her husband, Norbert (David Kirk Grant), who’s been patient but who really wants to celebrate his anniversary at the Ice Capades with his wife on his arm. There’s also the new resident, Pippi (Jill Van Velzer), who works as a stripper, has a heart of gold, and is being chased by ex-boyfriend, Duke (David McBean). Of course, no trailer park would be complete without trailer trash, and this one has a Greek chorus of them in Betty (Melinda Gilb), Linoleum (Leigh Scarrit), and Pickles (Kailey O’Donnell).

Oh, sure, they’re just funnin’ ya (the music and lyrics are by David Nehls, the book is by Betsy Kelso), but then again how do you know? Yeah , Pickles works at a place that sells flan as fast food (well, ok, that joke was pretty good), and sometimes everybody gets themselves up in elaborate costumes (by Alina Bokovikova) and sings and dances up a storm (speaking of which, the disco parody, “Storm’s A-Brewin’,” is pretty terrific and shows off Javier Velasco’s choreography at its best). And, the plot’s so transparent you just know that Duke won’t be quite as villainous as he seems (so transparent that you see the twist meandering down the highway long before it arrives).

And how about that “Desperate Housewives” love triangle? Well, Jeannie, Norbert, and Pippi are all so damned decent that they can’t even get a good down-and-dirty affair going – some song is always coming along to interrupt. At least the singing is decent, though most everyone’s belting for all they’re worth.

When I’m slumped down in my chair admiring the details of Ian Wallace’s scenic design, you might think that something is wrong.

Director Sam Woodhouse tries to keep everything light and airy, but one big belt number after another kind of wears that concept down. And he’s got some belters in Ms. Van Velzer, Ms. Gilb, Ms. Scarritt, and Mr. McBean (who appears still to be playing “Audrey II” from Cygnet’s Little Shop of Horrors). Interestingly enough, Ms. Corey, who you’d think would be a big ole belter, as she played Elphaba in Wicked, comes up with the most nuanced performance, and Mr. Grant is just so cuddly that you can forgive him anything. Oh yes, Ms. O’Donnell, who in real life is still in high school, looks very cute in her flan hat.

It’s all silliness, and if you can stop admiring the multicolored trailers and the dried out pool you might just enjoy it. I’ve posted below a video preview that will let you decide for yourself.

The Great American Trailer Park Musical runs through December 4 at the Lyceum Stage in Horton Plaza.

DOWNLOAD CAST & CREDITS HERE