"Fat Shirley's Trailer Park is the place to be...." or so the opening lyrics go of Tom Brown and David Crawford's original musical, "Fat Shirley's – A Trailer Park Opera." Dalton Little Theatre will present the original musical comedy on Feb. 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19 at 8 p.m., with one Sunday matinee on Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. All performances will be held at the Little Theatre, located at 210 N. Pentz Street in downtown Dalton in the Old Firehouse.
Directed by Tom Brown and Bob Smith, "Fat Shirley's: A Trailer Park Opera" explores the lives of trailer park residents in the aftermath of the death of their beloved landlady Fat Shirley. Not only do they have to cope with the sadness of Fat Shirley's loss but
with the uncertainty of the trailer park's future. Fat Shirley's trailer park was a last resort for many of the tenants, many of whose lives are characterized by the hardships that often accompany poor decision making. The show features musical numbers like "Will There Be Trailer Parks in Gloryland?," "She's My Cousin - She's My Wife," "Muscadine Rag," "Hickies" and "Fat Shirley's Lament."
"Fat Shirley's" creators, Tom Brown and David Crawford, are both teachers with Whitfield County Schools and have collaborated on many comic projects. The two have been working on "Fat Shirley's" for several years now. "While we were creating 'Fat
Shirley's', we staged a 'condensed' version at Dalton Little Theatre in May 2003," said co-writer Tom Brown. "The audience reaction showed us that we were definitely on the right track, so we got to work expanding the show to a full two-act production."
The "Fat Shirley's" cast features both veteran actors and newcomers. The cast includes David Arb, Garrett Arb, Phillip Bridges, Tom Brown, Reba Culpepper, Kevin Cummings, Cheryl Phipps, Alan Pritchett, Betsy B. Richards, Vann Roberts, Jinny Jagoditch, Phil Johnson, Sally Schull, Beau Sims, Bob Smith, Deb Sneary, Emerson Sneary, Lauren Sneary, Schaun Wagner, Kim Williams and David Wood.
Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, $8 for children under 12. For reservations, call Dalton Little Theatre at 226-6618.