The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

A Boot-Stompin’ Comedy

Book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson
Music and Lyrics by Carol Hall
Based on a story by Larry L. King

July 31 – August 17, 2014

Based on true events, this happy-go-lucky tale of small town vice and political side-stepping recounts the heydays and the demise of the Chicken Ranch, notoriously one of Texas’ finest bordellos since the 1850s. Politicians, townspeople, and even the local college football team frequent Miss Mona’s house of ill repute, but when puritanical consumer watchdog Melvin P. Thorpe turns his television cameras on the institution, the madam of the house finds herself fighting to preserve the ranch and protect her girls, while at the same time navigating a roller-coaster romance with town sheriff Ed Earl.

Parental guidelines.

Performances held at the Deb Fennell Auditorium, 9000 SW Durham Road, Tigard.

Performance run time is 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.

Sponsored by Portland Spirit

Print Media Sponsor The Oregonian

Cast

Sharon Maroney as Miss Mona Stangley

 

Colin Wood as Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd

 

Dan Murphy as Melvin P. Thorpe

 

Carmen N. Brantley-Payne as Jewel

 

Emily Sahler as Doatsey Mae

 

Jim Peerenboom as the Governor

 

Claire Rigsby as Angel

 

Jennifer Davies as Shy

 

Joey Klei as C.J. Scruggs

 

Brian Tennison as Mayor/Senator

 

David Sargent as Edsel Mackey

 

Sarah McGregor as Linda Lou

 

Ecaterina Lynn as Dawn

 

Krista Monaghan as Ginger

 

Brianna Rouse as Beatrice

 

Erin Shannon as Taddy Jo

 

Stephanie Heuston-Willing as Ruby Rae

 

Louise Chambers as Eloise

 

Maria Tucker as Durla

 

 

The Aggies:

Jordan Barron

 

Aaron Boudreaux

 

Blake Cranston

 

Casey DeCaire

 

Kevin Dempsey

 

Gabriel Mikalson

 

Ryan Monaghan

 

Andrew Stark

Show Dates

Thursday, July 31, 7:30 PM PREVIEW
Friday, August 1, 7:30 PM OPENING NIGHT
Saturday, August 2, 7:30 PM
Sunday, August 3, 2:00 PM – Limited availability

Thursday, August 7, 7:30 PM – Limited availability
Friday, August 8, 7:30 PM
Saturday, August 9, 2:00PM – Post-show talk-back*
Saturday, August 9, 7:30 PM
Sunday, August 10, 2:00 PM – Limited availability

Thursday, August 14, 7:30 PM – Limited availability
Friday, August 15, 7:30 PM
Saturday, August 16, 2:00 PM
Saturday, August 16, 7:30 PM
Sunday, August 17, 2:00 PM

* Talk-backs are free and open to the public. They begin immediately following the first Saturday matinee performance of the mainstage production, and are held in the theater. You do not have to attend the Broadway Rose production in order to attend the talk-back.

Creative Team

Directed by Peggy Taphorn
Musical direction by Eric Little
Choreography by Jacob Toth

Scenic Design by Sean O’Skea
Lighting Design by Gene Dent
Costume Design by Shana Targosz
Prop Design by Jim Crino
Sound Design by Tim Richey
Stage Manager Olivia Murphy

Musicians

Eric Little, Keyboard/Conductor
Mary Rowell, Fiddle
Justin Jude Carroll, Guitar
Chris Gabriel, Pedal Steel Guitar
Sean Vinson, Bass
Dave Muldoon, Drums
Anthony Percival, Reed
Levis Dragulin, Trumpet
Bryant Byers, Trombone

News & Reviews

Best Little Whorehouse in Tigard (Review)
By Tina Arth and Darrell Baker
Westside Theatre Reviews, Aug. 6, 2014
Choreographer Jacob Toth has outdone himself – the male dance ensemble is as strong as any we have seen on a Broadway Rose stage. While a bit more mature than his fellow hoofers, Dan Murphy (playing Thorpe) kicks up his bootheels with the best of them, and adds his strong voice to the already powerful vocal group. The distaff side, whether playing cheerleaders or prostitutes, is just as good – and the combination of these fillies and stallions more than justifies the price of admission to this spicy Broadway RodeoRead more.

 

The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas—Broadway Rose (Review)
By Dennis Sparks
Dennis Sparks Reviews, Aug. 5, 2014
Toth’s dance sequences were astounding and worth one’s attendance at the show! He had an amazing group of young men and women to work with as the chorus and it shows with the play’s most rousing scenes. Bravo, chorus!Read more.

 

America, America: ‘Carousel’ and ‘Best Little Whorehouse’ (Review)
By Bob Hicks
Oregon ArtsWatch, Aug. 5, 2014
Whorehouse has a breezy, easygoing feel, like a lightly satiric comic strip: think Al Capp and Li’l Abner. The trick is to make the characters feel like types but also like real, individual people, and Taphorn’s cast manages that neatlyRead more.

 

Just Opened: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Review)
By Katherine Marrone
Willamette Week, Aug. 4, 2014
The singing is spot-on, even if some of the lyrics are hokey, and the acting is strong. As the teen mom-turned-prostitute Angel, Claire Rigsby shines with a Southern drawl and go-get-’em personality. The choreography is wonderfully tight: It’s a delight to watch the sashaying women and tap-dancing football players...Read more.

 

BWW Reviews: THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS Is Innocent Dirty Fun at Broadway Rose
By Patrick Brassell
BroadwayWorld, Aug. 4, 2014
Broadway Rose and director Taphorn have put together one of the best ensembles I’ve seen. All ten of the girls who play the prostitutes are terrific singers and dancers; each finds a different hook or mannerism for her character, and while you might not learn all their names, you welcome them back each time they arrive; most also double as cheerleaders, reporters, townswomen, and other characters along the way, filling out the show’s many big numbers, and shining near the close of the show with the ballad “Hard Candy Christmas.” Likewise, those football players fill in as townspeople, customers of the Ranch, TV camerapeople, and just about anything else, and they sing in glorious harmony whenever asked…Read more.

 

Actress is ready for Broadway Rose debut July 31
By Barbara Sherman
Portland Tribune, Jul. 31, 2014
Brantley-Payne was cast in her first musical as an adult even though she has never had any formal voice training. “My entire family sings and performs,” she said. “That audition was what propelled me towards acting again…” Read more.

 

Broadway Rose kicks off ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’
By David Stabler
The Oregonian, Jul. 28, 2014
If your only memory of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” is Dolly Parton’s plunging neckline, you should check out Broadway Rose Theatre Company’s stage version. The original musical is way sassier and more spirited than the 1982 film with Burt Reynoldsread more.

 

Read the official press release: Broadway Rose Theatre Company Presents a Boot Stompin’ Musical Comedy – 6/10/2014 (PDF)

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