The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
by Tex-Arts

Aug. 18 - Sep. 03, 2017
Thursdays-Sundays

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a political satire full of flirty fun and gusto. Based on a true story, the show tells of the demise of a brothel located just down the road from Austin.  The real-life story made national headlines in the 1970’s when investigative reporter Marvin Zindler started a crusade to shut the infamous house that had been in operation for more than a century.  The cornball TV personality from Houston caused such a primetime ruckus that the local politicos, most of whom were regular customers, forced the Sheriff to close down the legendary institution.  The show ran for 1,584 performances on Broadway and was nominated for eight Tonys, including best musical, in 1979. A film adaptation followed in 1982, starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds.

 

The cast features Christina Stroup as Miss Mona, the classy yet brassy madam with a heart of gold.  Jarret Mallon as Ed Earl, the hotheaded, celebrated cussin’ Sheriff joins her.  The cast includes Joe Falocco (Melvin P. Thorpe), Roderick Sanford (Jewel), Yanis Kalnins (Governor), Zach Thompson (Senator Wingwoah), Corinna Browning (Doatsy Mae), Lauren DeFilippo (Angel) and Kristen DeGroot (Shy). The company features Emily McIntyre, Lara Wright, Lindsay Palinsky, Kaitlin Street, Thomas Griffin Williams, Nathan Daniel Ford, Michael Wheeler, J. Dylan Gibson and Ryan Alvarado.

 

“Since the early ‘80’s, when Burt and Dolly descended on Pflugerville to film the movie version, this has been one of my absolute favorite musicals,” said Jarret Mallon, TexARTS executive director. “I’m so thrilled that TexARTS is bringing this big bawdy show back to The Lone Star State.  It’s going to be a racy, flirty, sexy evening with some amazing performers.”

 

Sarah Gay directs the show.  Ms. Gay returns to TexARTS having previously directed Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show and My Way.  New York-based choreographer, Kimberly Schafer returns, having previously choreographed TexARTS’ All Shook Up and directed The Marvelous Wonderettes. Ms. Schafer is the dance assistant to Tommy Tune, the Tony Award-winning director and choreographer of the original Broadway production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.   Award-winning music director, Susan Finnigan serves as the production’s musical director. 

 

The creative team includes Chris Conard (scenic design), Colleen McCool-Pierce (costume design), Justin Beets (light design), Andrew Twenter (sound design), Reilly Cox (properties design) and Stephen Mercantel (stage manager

 

 This production contains adult content and language.

 

 

TexARTS

TexARTS, the Lake Travis nonprofit for the visual and performing arts, offers completely staged professional productions and is a performing and visual arts educational academy. TexARTS is proud to employ hundreds of professional regional actors, musicians and artistic staff living here in Austin. 

Song List (from Wikipedia)

Act I
  • "Prologue" – The Rio Grande Band Leader and the Rio Grande Band
  • "20 Fans" – Company
  • "A Lil' Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place" – Mona Stangley and the Girls
  • "Girl, You're a Woman" – Mona Stangley, Shy, Jewel and the Girls
  • "Watch Dog Theme" – The Dogettes
  • "Texas Has a Whorehouse in It" – Melvin P. Thorpe, the Thorpe Singers and the Dogettes
  • "Twenty Four Hours of Lovin'" – Jewel and the Girls
  • "Watch Dog Theme" (Reprise) – The Dogettes
  • "Texas Has a Whorehouse in It" (Reprise) – Melvin P. Thorpe and the Dogettes
  • "Doatsy Mae" – Doatsy Mae
  • "Angelette March" – Angelette Imogene Charlene and the Angelettes
  • "The Aggie Song" – The Aggies
  • "The Bus from Amarillo" – Mona Stangley

 

Act II
  • "The Sidestep" – The Governor of Texas & Company
  • "No Lies" – Mona Stangley, Jewel and the Girls
  • "Good Old Girl" – Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd and the Aggies
  • "Hard Candy Christmas" – The Girls
  • "Finale" – Company

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
by King, Masterson and Hall
Tex-Arts

Thursdays-Sundays,
August 18 - September 03, 2017
Kam and James Morris Studio, TexARTS
2300 Lohman's Spur
Suite 160
Lakeway, TX, 78734

 


August 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31 and Sept. 1, 2, 2017 at 7:30 pm, August 20, 27 and Sept. 3 , 2017at 2:00 pm.  

A special student preview performance will be held August 17 at 7:30 pm.

Single tickets start at $40.  Single tickets are available by calling TexARTS Box Office at 512-852-9079 x101 or at www.tex-arts.org. All ages are welcome and parking is free. Group rates are available.  

All performances will be held at the intimate Kam & James Morris Theatre at TexARTS’ Erin Doherty Studios, 2300 Lohman's Spur, Suite #160, Lakeway, TX. The lounge opens one hour prior to curtain and offers beer, wine and light snacks. Parking is free.