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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a musical with a book by Texas author Larry L. King and Peter Masterson and music and lyrics by Carol Hall. It is based on a story by King that was inspired by the real-life Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas July 23, 1982, Universal 114 minutes Here's another show by Bway amateurs, Texans all, and more evidence as far as I was concerned that The Big Street was going to the dogs the year I left town. The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. Book by Larry King and Peter Masterson; Music and Lyrics by Carol Hall Based on: The life and times of the real 'Chicken Ranch' 46th Street Theatre, Broadway - April 17, 1978 (1669 perfs).

Synopsis[edit]

It is the late 1970s, and a brothel has been operating outside of fictional Gilbert, Texas (subbing for real locale La Grange) for more than a century. It is under the proprietorship of Miss Mona Stangley, having been left to her by the original owner. While taking care of her girls, she is also on good terms with the local sheriff, Ed Earl Dodd. When crusading televisionreporter Melvin P. Thorpe (based on real-life Houston news personality Marvin Zindler) decides to make the illegal activity an issue, political ramifications cause the place to be closed down.

Production history[edit]

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas opened on Broadway at the 46th Street Theatre on June 19, 1978, and ran for 1,584 performances. The production was directed by Peter Masterson and Tommy Tune and choreographed by Tune and Thommie Walsh. The opening cast included Carlin Glynn, Henderson Forsythe, Jay Garner, Joan Ellis, Delores Hall, and Pamela Blair. Glynn was replaced by Fannie Flagg and Anita Morris later in the run. Alexis Smith starred as Miss Mona in the first U.S. National Tour, September 1979 through February 1981,^[1] with stops in major cities from Boston to Los Angeles.

The Sydney production opened at Her Majesty's Theatre on 13 September 1980. Produced by J. C. Williamson Ltd, it starred Lorraine Bayly as Miss Mona and Alfred Sandor as Sherriff Ed Earl Dodd, with Mona Richardson as Jewel, Judi Connelli as Doatsy Mae and Peter Whitford as the Governor.^[2]

The West End production opened at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on February 26, 1981. Produced by Bernard Delfont, it again starred Carlin Glynn and Henderson Forsythe, with Miquel Brown as Jewel and Betsy Brantley as Angel. It included Sally Ann Triplett and Robert Meadmore and ran for 204 performances.^[3]

In what was described as 'a return engagement', the show opened on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on May 31, 1982, and closed on July 24, 1982, after nine previews and 63 performances. The cast featured Carlin Glynn and Delores Hall.^[4]

A short-lived sequel entitled The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public was staged on Broadway in 1994.

'The Aggie Song' was performed on the Tony Awards broadcast, but was heavily censored because of the nature of the lyrics and choreography.

A U.S. National Tour starring Ann-Margret opened on February 14, 2001.^[5]

A benefit concert took place on October 16, 2006, to benefit the Actor's Fund. The concert was directed by Mark S. Hoebee and choreographed by Denis Jones. The cast included Terrence Mann (as Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd), Emily Skinner, and Jennifer Hudson.^[6]

Song list[edit]

'The Bus from Amarillo' was moved to the final scene, sometime late in the run of the original production and has generally played that way ever since.

Awards and nominations[edit]

Original Broadway production[edit]

Discography[edit]

• The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: original cast. Audio CD. MCA, 1997. MCAD-11683; MCA-3049.
• Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: New cast recording. Audio CD. Fynsworth Alley/Varèse Sarabande, 2001. 302 062 117 2.

References[edit]

1. ^'Internet Broadway Database: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas-1979 US Tour Schedule'. ibdb.com.
2. ^'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas'. www.ausstage.edu.au. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
3. ^'Introduction: A Hundred Years of London Musicals'. www.overthefootlights.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
4. ^'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas 1982 Listing'. PlayBillVault.com. Archived from the original on 2012-12-02. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
5. ^Jones, Kenneth. 'Nothin' Dirty: Ann-Margret Opens 'Whorehouse' Feb. 13 in CT'. Playbill, February 13, 2001^{[dead link]}
6. ^Gans, Andrew. 'Actors' Fund's 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' Benefit Concert Presented Oct. 16' Playbill, October 16, 2006

Bibliography[edit]

• Hall, Carol. Vocal selections from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Melville, N.Y.: MCA Music, 1979.
• King, Larry L., and Masterson, Peter. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Music and lyrics by Carol Hall. French's Musical Library. New York, N.Y.: S. French, 1978. ISBN0-573-68111-2.
• King, Larry L. The Whorehouse Papers. New York: Viking Press, 1982. ISBN0-670-15919-0.

External links[edit]

• Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at the Internet Broadway Database
• The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at IMDb

Book by Larry King and Peter Masterson; Music and Lyrics by Carol Hall
Based on: The life and times of the real 'Chicken Ranch'

Best Little Whorehouse In Texas Script

46th Street Theatre, Broadway - April 17, 1978 (1669 perfs)

The best bordello in Texas dated back to 1915, when Jessie Williams purchased an old farmhouse on 12 acres on the border of La Grange, where it existed in harmony with the law and local citizens for nearly 50 years. During the Depression, the girls traded services for farm goods and livestock. So many chickens were received that hen houses were set up for poultry and egg production - hence the name Chicken Ranch. In 1960 Edna Milton purchased the property from Miss Jessie's estate and did a first-class remodelling job. It was under Miss Edna's direction that the house of prostitution reached its greatest fame. In 1973 Marvin Zindler, a Houston TV newsman, mounted a campaign to close the Chicken Ranch. Jim Flournoy, former Texas Ranger and country sheriff since 1946, cited charitable work, saved marriages, and local acceptance and refused to close it. Zindler directed his TV attack on the Governor, who called Sheriff Jim. He in turn placed the call that quietly ended the Chicken Ranch's 58-year history.

This happy-go-lucky view of small-town vice and state-wide political side-stepping recounts the good times and the demise of the Chicken Ranch, known since the 1850s as one of the better pleasure palaces in all of Texas. The rural community of Gilbert has long tolerated, secretly relished, and certainly patronised Miss Mona's cosy homelike bordello. Governors, senators, mayors, and even victorious college football teams-sponsored by an alumnus-frequented the Chicken Ranch until that puritan nemesis Watchdog focused his television cameras and righteous indignation on the institution.

STORY

Shy and Amber arrive at Chicken Ranch knowing full well what goes on there. They've been used, had hard luck, and are lonely. They confide to Miss Mona that they have never done anything professional but plead for the chance to get some money together for a fresh start. Mona is taken with their honesty, hires them on, and sees to their training. She can use the extra help for the upcoming Texas Aggies/ Longhorn football-game party. The alumni associates of each school traditionally treat the winners of the annual rivalry to a night of frolicking at the Ranch. Some important political and business leaders are involved, too. (Miss Mona always has the right people to call on for advice). Things are pretty much as they have been for 58 years-until Melvin P. Thorpe, a Houston TV reporter and do-gooder, sets out to spoil everybody's fun. His Watchdog exposés do little to prompt Sheriff Dodd to close the Chicken Ranch. In fact, when Melvin visits the Ranch, Sheriff Dodd runs him off. It seems there is a romantic interest between the sheriff and Mona. In retaliation, Melvin raids the Ranch with his camera crew. The surprise visit proves embarrassing for all the above. Chicken Ranch is now too public to remain open in face of the state law against prostitution. Melvin P. Thorpe wins again. The girls ponder their futures as they await the bus from Amarillo. Mona and Sheriff Dodd pause for a moment of nostalgia before locking up after the girls have gone.

• 'I enjoyed it very much indeed' Michael Coveney, Financial Times
  
• 'A fun new musical ... Its pleasures are surprisingly innocent and despite a certain amount of raunchy language ... the humour and good nature of the piece make it cheerfully inoffensive.... The story is told with a good deal of gusto and a wealth of comic detail, chiefly concerned with Texas politics.' New York Post
  
• 'A whale of a good time ... A lively, genial and unassuming musical comedy ... Carol Hall ~ songs, mostly country-western, are lively and engaging ... The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is very much on the sunny side of the street ... The talk is racy and unrestrained, but all in fun ... Both sunny and funny with its cheerful disregard for reality.' Daily News
  
• 'A cheerful, tuneful, deeply sentimental American musical.' Michael Billington, Guardian

Cast:

M 13 F 14 Extras (27 parts, 8 principals, reporters and photographers, 9 singers.)

• Edsel Mockey, storyteller (can be the bandleader).
• Mona Stangley, 40-ish, attractive madam, hard but with a heart, sings.
• Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd, towering actor, joins in one song.
• Shy, Angel, Doatsey Mae, and Imogene Charlene, featured roles for attractive girls who sing and dance.
• Jewel, black torch singer has lines, dances.
• Melvin P. Thorpe, fanatical character man.

Large sing/dance chorus. Total cast 45-60.

Orchestration

Piano/Conductor, Reed*, Trumpet*, Trombone*, Violin (doubles Viola), Guitar I, Guitar II, Bass, Drums.

* = optional

Period and Costumes:

Texas, the fall of 1973. Bright coloured, loose gowns for Mona's girls, assorted casual clothes, lots of Western boots and 10-gallon hats, Mona's day dresses and nightclub-type evening gowns, sheriffs uniform jacket and gun belt, stereotyped bright-coloured Western suits for mayor, governor, and other Texas businessmen, matching satin shirts and jeans for the band members, outrageous jewelled suits and white wig for Melvin P. Thorpe, good-looking off-duty sports outfits for all girls, football uniforms.

Musical Numbers

1. Prologue - Solo Girl Singer, The Rio Grande Band
2. 20 Fans - Mona Stangley, the Girls, the Cowboys, Farmer, Shy Kid, Miss Wulla Jean, Travelling Salesman, Slick Dude, Choir
3. A Lil Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place - Mona Stangley, the Girls
4. Girl You're a Woman - Mona Stangley, Shy, Jewel, the Girls
5. Watch Dog Theme - Melvin P. Thorpe, the Dogettes
6. Texas Has a Whorehouse in It - Melvin P. Thorpe, the Thorpe Singers, the Dogettes
7. Twenty-Four Hours of Lovin' - Jewel, the Girls
8. Watchdog Theme (reprise) - The Dogettes
9. Texas Has a Whorehouse in It (reprise) - Melvin P. Thorpe, the Dogettes, Mayor Rufus Pointdexter, Scruggs, Edsel McKey, Doatsy Mae, Townspeople
10. Doatsey Mae - Doatsy Mae
11. Angelette March - Imogene Charlene, the Angelettes
12. The Aggie Song - The Aggies
13. Bus from Amarillo - Mona Stangley
14. The Sidestep - Scruggs, Photographer, Mayor Rufus Pointdexter, Melvin P. Thorpe, the Dogettes, Melvin Thorpe Singers
15. No Lies - Mona Stangley, Jewel, the Girls
16. Good Ole Girl - Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd, the Aggies
17. Hard Candy Christmas - Amber, Linda Lou, Ginger, Imogene Charlene, Ruby Rae, Beatrice
18. Hard Candy Christmas (reprise) - The Girls
19. Finale - The Company
    

Scenes and Settings

2 acts, multi-level unit set, orchestra on stage under the raised centre platform. Insert sets of Thorpe's TV studio and governor's office. One front and one back drop.

The action takes place in the state of Texas

Act 1

The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas Script

• Scene 1: The Chicken Ranch, 1930s.
• Scene 2: The Chicken Ranch, early 1970s.
• Scene 3: Same.
• Scene 4: Melvin P. Thorpe's TV Show.
• Scene 5: Back at the Chicken Ranch.
• Scene 6: Same.
• Scene 7: Courthouse Steps, Gilbert, Texas.
• Scene 8: Texas Twinkle Cafe.
• Scene 9: The Texas Aggie Angelettes at the Football Game.
• Scene 10: After the Ganse and on the way to the Chicken Ranch.
• Scene 11: The Chicken Ranch.
• Scene 12: The Chicken Ranch, later that night.

Act 2

• Scene 1: Same as Act 1
• Scene 2; at the State Capitol (Austin).
• Scene 3: The Chicken Ranch.
• Scene 4: Sheriff's Office.
• Scene 5: The Chicken Ranch.
• Scene 6: Same.

Choreography:

Jazz, rock, disco, precision drill, cheer-leading, and a trick rope spinner.