The Trials And Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife
by Del Shores, Joe Patrick Ward

The Trials And Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife Book Cover
The Trials And Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife Cover

Highlights

120 mins Present Day Role(s) for Black Actor(s) Unit Set/Multiple Settings Comedy

Awards & Recognition

Drama Critics Circle

WINNER! 2004 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Ted Schmitt Award WINNER! More than 14 Los Angeles Theatre Awards including the Ovation Awards for Best Production and Best Playwright

Synopsis

Willi is the trailer trash housewife of the title, not necessarily of her own volition.

Her abusive husband won’t let her get a job, one of her children is dead, and the other is verboten by her husband because he’s gay.

Her best and only friend, a large black woman who lives next door, worries about her constantly, always concerned that Willi’s husband will end up killing her.

A new woman comes to live in the trailer park and ends up having an affair with Willi’s husband.

When she finds out, Willi decides to get a job at the local Wal-Mart (a first step on the way to liberating herself from him).

Her husband will have none of it, and quoting the bible about how a wife is supposed to obey her husband, threatens all three women with a gun, and then beats Willi to within an inch of her life.

She recovers enough to finally shoot him, releasing her from the torment that she’d been living in for years.

A blues singer weaves songs into the action, commenting upon Willi’s predicament and urging her toward decisive action.

Characters

Character
J.D. Winkler

around 50. Once the handsome quarterback, now the failed, angry, abusive, adulterous, alcoholic husband.

Willadean Winkler

mid- to late 40s. The trapped, weathered and abused housewife who has a beautiful heart and soul.

Rayleen Hobbs

late 30s. The much-married waitress with the great body, the hard, lived-in face who desperately needs acceptance.

La Sonia Robinson

late 30s, African-American. Willadean’s fleshy neighbor and best friend who speaks her mind and has little fear. A pianist also appears onstage who accompanies the Blue Singer.

Blues Singer

30s, African-American. Sexy and beautiful with a powerful voice.

Publication

Publisher Samuel French
ISBN-13 9780573663727
ISBN-10 0573663726

The Trials And Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife is a comedy play written by Del Shores and published by Samuel French .

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