Artwork by Andra LaMarca will help set the scenes on the set of the Stage Left Players’ new original musical “A Trailer Park Holiday.” (Photo courtesy of State Left Players’ Facebook page)

LISBON — Stage Left Players is gearing up to debut a new original musical just in time for the holidays. “A Trailer Park Holiday”, written and directed by Kandace Cleland with music by Jodine Pilmer, will open Dec. 5 and run for two weekends at the Trinity Playhouse in downtown Lisbon.

The production follows JoAnn, a fast-rising real-estate professional who returns to her hometown with a corporate assignment and a heavy heart. JoAnn works for Golden Nugget Developers, the company planning to purchase and redevelop the land beneath her grandmother’s trailer park into a new casino.

Her task is simple on paper. She needs to convince the residents of Pine Ridge Estates to accept settlement checks and move on. But once she reconnects with the neighbors she grew up with – and with the prom date she ditched years ago – JoAnn begins to question whether success is measured by square footage or by the people and places that shaped her.

“Think Hallmark Holiday Movie meets Trailer Park, complete with the obligatory girl-who-left-home returning to ‘help’ everyone see the light, only to fall back in love with the old flame she left behind,” Cleland said. “Add in the three kids he’s raising since his sister Betty’s tragic Betty’s BBQ food truck explosion eight years ago and you get the idea. It’s homegrown, heartfelt, and sprinkled with just the right amount of dark humor, everything I love about community theatre.”

The musical blends small-town humor, holiday chaos and heartfelt reflection, all set against the backdrop of Pine Ridge Estates, where residents band together to protect the place they call home. With original songs and an ensemble of colorful characters, the production offers both laughs and warmth as the community faces a life-changing decision.

Performances are set for 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6 and 12-13, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7 and 14. Tickets are $17 for adults and $15 for students and seniors and are available at stageleftplayers.ludus.com. The Trinity Playhouse is located at 234 East Lincoln Way in Lisbon.

“A Trailer Park Holiday” marks the latest chapter in Stage Left Players’ long-running commitment to producing local, original and community-centered theater. Founded in 1992, the nonprofit has served as a cornerstone of the area’s creative community for more than 30 years.

The organization began as a small group of theater lovers wanting to bring the performing arts to a town with few formal outlets for them. What started as a handful of enthusiastic volunteers has grown into a fixture of historic Lisbon – one that now offers year-round classes, youth programming, workshops and a full performance schedule.

Over the decades, Stage Left Players has provided opportunities for local performers, directors, musicians and behind-the-scenes talent to learn, collaborate and grow. Its mission remains rooted in accessibility: creating a welcoming space where anyone, from first-time actors to seasoned performers, can take the stage.

With “A Trailer Park Holiday”, Stage Left Players continues its tradition of telling stories that balance humor with heart and highlight the complexity of everyday life. The show’s themes – family, belonging and the importance of community – echo the values that have guided the organization since its founding.

More information is available at www.stageleftplayers.org.