The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

The rousing song and dance musical was last produced by CLOG in 1998. The musical has a book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson with music and lyrics by Carol Hall. It opened on Broadway in 1978 with direction by Peter Masterson and Tommy Tune and choreography by Tune and Thommie Walsh and inspired a 1992 film version starring Dolly Parton, Burt Reynolds, Jim Nabors, Charles Durning and Dom DeLuise.

  This happy-go-lucky view of small-town vice and statewide 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. Governors, senators, mayors and even victorious college football teams frequent Miss Mona’s cozy bordello until that puritan nemesis, Watchdog, focuses his television cameras and righteous indignation on the institution. The music includes “A Lil Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place,” “ Hard Candy Christmas,” “The Sidestep,” “Bus from Amarillo,” “Doatsey Mae,” and more.

AVAILABLE ROLES

CHARACTERS (large cast of approximately 30, some double casting)

Miss Mona – The caring Chicken Ranch Madam who sings country style. She makes her girls and customers abide by a rigorous list of rules. Actress/Singer

Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd – The aging, crusty, tough-talking, yet humorous, cowboy sheriff – Actor/Singer

Jewel – African American attendant and friend of Miss Mona and the Ladies; has a show-stopping production number; Actress/Singer (belts)

Melvin P. Thorpe (Watchdog) – A preacher type, with show business instincts, who masquerades as a newsman. He is the host of Melvin P. Thorpe TV show with it’s own singers and dancers; Actor/Singer

Governor – The aging Texas governor, who is impressed by his own importance, yet dodges all issues. He dances and sings the scene-stealing “The Sidestep”. Actor/Singer who must dance or move well

Doatsey Mae – A respectable, hard-working waitress who wishes her life could be more exciting. Actress/Singer

Ladies of the Evening  (All must sing/act and dance or move well)

Shy – One of the ladies of the evening who is a young, bashful country girl. Singer/Actress/Dancer

Angel – A blatant-appearing lady of the evening who is toned down by Miss Mona; Singer/Actress/Dancer

Other Chicken Ranch Girls include Ginger, Linda Lou, Dawn, Ruby Rae, Beatrice, Taddy Jo, Elise & Darla

Character Actors – limited singing and some parts may be double cast:

Mayor Rufus Poindexter – Automobile dealer who is also Mayor.

Senator J. T. Mingwoah – A typical Southern politician

C. J. Scraggs – A flashy dresser who is an insurance man and president of the Jaycees

Edsel Mackey – A well-educated and shrew editor of the local paper, The Gilbert Gospel Mail. He has a dry wit and hides his intelligence behind a country appearance and selected bad grammar.

ENSEMBLE – Ladies of the Evening, Texas Aggie Football Team, Texas Angelettes Drill Team, Cowboys, Salesman, Melvin P. Thorpe Singers and Dogettes, Reporters, Imogene Charlene, Miss Willa Jean, Shy Kid, Imogene Charlene, Slick Dude, Governor’s Aide and more to sing and/or dance