Stop in for a visit with the saucy, sassy residents in Armadillo Acres, the most exclusive trailer park in Florida, when Rochester Opera House Productions presents The Great American Trailer Park Musical from January 16 to February 2 with evening and matinee performances. Enjoy cocktail seating and munch on great trailer park cuisine including hot dogs, mac & cheese, armadillo dip and drinks, as you become part of this rambunctious bunch and their raucous mischievousness.

Watch out for new resident, Pippi the stripper (Heidi Gagne), when she comes between the Dr. Phil loving agoraphobic, Jeannie (Danica Carlson), and her tollbooth collector husband, Norbert (Shay Willard). Meet the other quirky folks such as the Greek-chorus-like trio of Linoleum (Megan Little), Betty (Gabrielle Archambault) and Pickles (Katelyn Parker). Armed with many cans of extra-hold hairspray and plenty of chichi mascara and lipstick, costumer Scottie McLaughlin keeps the gals at Armadillo Acres looking their finest. Get ready for lots of uproarious antics in this musical comedy, written by David Nehls and Betsy Kelso.

Live music in the orchestra pit, directed by Kathy Fink, heightens the experience with songs ranging from country rock to The Andrew Sisters to tender ballads with other styles thrown in for variety and spice. Fink asserts that The Great American Trailer Park Musical “is a hilarious, tongue-in-cheek musical romp that blends over the top characters with terrific lyrics and harmonies that will have you laughing out loud.”

Director Merrill Peiffer is “over the moon” to be directing a production at the Rochester Opera House. “I've always wanted to work here. It's a talented team. I was really impressed by their production of Shrek.” Peiffer, with a passion to make people laugh, performed in Trailer Park at the Palace Theater in Manchester and thinks “it's one of the funniest musicals out there”. She is “so happy with the talented cast I've assembled.” All are skilled performers and great singers … some of the Seacoast's finest!”

Set designer Jerard-James Craven describes Pfeiffer as “a polished director, who understands the detail and scene work necessary for a successful production”. Craven is absorbed in all that defines Armadillo Acres. Not only does he transform into Pippi's obsessive, possessive boyfriend Duke for the show, but also as set designer, he transforms the stage with sets that paint the fabric of this “loving parody of Southern trailer park living.” As a director/actor/set designer, Craven has worked in ten Seacoast area theaters and on three continents. He describes working at the Rochester Opera House as “a pleasure to work at a theater, especially designed for theater and with a space to create art. The versatility of a flat floor* invites the audience to hang out, have a beer. With their own production company, ROH is moving into the forefront in producing large-scale musicals.”

Four years ago, the ROH Theatre Series introduced audiences to ROH Productions with Cabaret and went on to produce audience favorites like Annie, Shout: The Mod Musical, All Shook Up and Shrek, The Musical.

“Over the years we have been able to strengthen not only our talent pool but the back stage and administrative support people that make producing large-scale musicals necessary”, says ROH Executive Director Anthony Ejarque.

He adds, “We are fortunate to pull from an extraordinary pool of professional performers and artists that call the Seacoast their home. Most of these artists have done time on professional stages across the country.”

Heidi Gagne (Pippi) is well known around the Seacoast as a tiny package of dynamite who belts out tunes that rock the theater. Gagne captured the audience's attention as the feisty Natalie in All Shook Up and as Yellow Girl in Shout: The Mod Musical. Gagne says, “ROH is the place to experience and enjoy the Seacoast's finest talent and promises that this show has it all … amazing vocal ranges, skillful music direction, creative direction … and lots of laughs.” Cast mate Katelyn Parker (Pickles) is “extremely happy to be taking part in my sixth musical in an ROH Production.” She concurs with Gagne, “The cast couldn't be more talented. Get ready for a hilarious show with some amazing harmonies that will blow you away!”

*The Rochester Opera House is the last remaining theater in the country with a mechanism that raises the orchestra floor for amphitheater seating or lowers it for flat floor events with cocktail seating.

Reserve tickets ($20/cocktail seating, $16/balcony) online at RochesterOperaHouse.com or call/stop by the box office (603) 335-1992, M/W/F from 10-5 and two hours before the show. So that tables can be arranged to seat you and your party, please call ahead to the box office to reserve your table. Cash bar and supper (not included in ticket price). Handicap access is available in the balcony only. Patrons under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Strong language/adult situations.

This show sponsored by TD Bank, Foster's Daily Democrat, Eastern Propane & Oil, Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., Norm Vetter Inc. and The Governor's Inn.

Rochester Opera House is located in City Hall, 31 Wakefield St.

The season continues with Motor Booty Affair on Feb. 7 and The Spirit of Johnny Cash Valentine's Day Concert.