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 Rodeo…Read 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 neatly…Read 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 Reynolds…read more.
Read the official press release: Broadway Rose Theatre Company Presents a Boot Stompin’ Musical Comedy – 6/10/2014 (PDF)
