Next Show:

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

When:
August 2012

Where:
Shirley Burke Theatre Parkdale

Director:
David Higgins

Musical Director:
Emma McGeorge

Choreographer:
Kim Annette

Overview

Our next show is The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas to be directed by David Higgins with musical direction by Emma McGeorge and choreography by Kim Annette.

Synopsis

Best Little Whorehouse in Texas made its New York debut in 1977 with a run of 1,703 performances – longer than shows as successful as “Guys and Dolls”, “Cabaret” or “Jesus Christ Superstar”.

It is based on the true story of a “pleasure palace” which existed from the 1850s called “The Chicken Ranch”, so called because when times were tough the local farmers were allowed to pay for services with poultry! Now run by the no-nonsense Miss Mona, The Chicken Ranch is just a nice old country place doing its bit for the community of Gilbert and not hurting anybody.

That is until it comes under the scrutiny of Melvin P Thorpe, TV evangelist loosely disguised as an investigative reporter. He vows to close it down. The appeal of the musical led to the making of a successful movie starring Dolly Parton as Miss Mona and Burt Reynolds as the Sheriff, Ed Earl Dodd. The music is a blend of country, pop and gospel, there’s an abundance of colourful characters ( and colourful language) and as for dance – a good hoe-down is had by all.

Set in Texas in the 1970’s you could say that “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” is a moralistic tale about old fashioned country traditions struggling to survive in a media infested cesspit.

[From the Director - Read in a full Texas drawl]
This hayer folks is the true… weeell; true ‘nough, story about a sweet little ole’ Texas Brothel (yup, that’s Texas with a capital ‘T’ and Brothel with a capital ‘Be seeing ya’ll whin ya’ll gitst hayer!’) that operated illegally from the 1840s till 1963. A traditional stomping ground for local boys, politicians, football teams and the good ole’ sheriff; the Chicken Ranch (as it was known) was an accepted part of the Texan landscape. Till the one day, when this here god-fearin’ no-good—son of a do-gooder TV feller, had to git up on that there TV-box, crusadin’ and singin’ up a stink-storm ‘bout how they were a reg’lar whorehouse, rart hayer in Texas!

The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas is based on a true story. It's filled with action, humour, brilliant characters, terrific dances, great songs and moments of heartfelt drama. It's a dynamic show that audiences love and we intend to make it a show you'll love to be a part of.

NOTE: The show contains strong language and sexual references. This is not a show for children.

The Cast

Role	Performed By	Description
Mona Stangley	Robyn Pollock	Madam of the Chicken ranch
Sheriff Earl Dodd	Peter Martignoles	‘Old time’ local sheriff
Melvin P. Thorp	John Davidson	Preaching Newsman
Mayor Rufus Poindexter	Colin Prossor	Mayor of the town
Senator Wingwoah	Ken Jones	Local Senator
C.J. Scruggs	Paul Boyd	Local businessman
Angel	Emily Duncan	City Hooker
Shy	Rebecca Cullinan	Farmgirl/Hooker
Jewel	Stan Peters	Housekeeper [featured solo]
Doasty Mae	Kate Knight	Waitress [featured solo]
Band Leader	Stuart Mitchell	Narrator/Singer
Edsel Mackey	Kerryn Petrie	Newspaper Editor
Governor	John Egan	Governor of Texas [featured solo]
Amber	TBA
Imogene Charlene	TBA	Cheerleader
TV Sports Presenter	Jeremy Raymond
Girls of Chicken Ranch	TBA	Linda Lou, Dawn, Ginger, Beatrice, Taddy Jo, Durla, Ruby Rae, Eloise
The Aggies	TBA	Ensemble, College Football team