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Overview
Synopsis
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, a rollicking hootenanny of a musical, is based on the true story of a legendary Texas brothel, which operated from the 1840s to 1973. Protected by a friendly sheriff and frequented by politicians, football teams, and others, the “Chicken Ranch” thrived in the small town of Gilbert, Texas. Girls came from all over to work at the ranch and make a little extra cash. However, a crusading do-gooder Houston radio commentator and his conservative audience expose the Chicken Ranch, forcing it to shut its doors forever.
Show Information
- Book
- Larry L. King , Peter Masterson
- Music
- Carol Hall
- Lyrics
- Carol Hall
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1978
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- 1930s, 1970s, texas
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Samuel French
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Large Cast, Mature Audiences, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Late Teen Characters
Context
Journalist Larry L. King first wrote an article in 1974 for Playboy magazine about the closing down of “The Chicken Farm” -- an illegal brothel -- in LaGrange, Texas. The Chicken Farm got its name during the depression when locals traded poultry for the services of the girls at the farm. Locals seemed to have no problem with the “small business” for more than 40 years until confrontational television reporter, Marvin Zindler, did a story on the brothel, leading ultimately to its closure by the
to read the context for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act 1
A small country combo of musicians opens the show, with the band leader telling a bit of the history of the beloved “Chicken Ranch” brothel and how it gots its name during the Depression, when local men were a bit short on the $3.00 fee and ultimately were allowed by the madam, Miss Wulla Jean, to barter for services with poultry (“Twenty Fans”). The scene evolves from the 1930s to the present day of the show--1973--where Miss Mona has since inherited the business. Two newcomers
to read the plot for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Spoken, Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
Songs
Act I
- Prologue – Band Leader and 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
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
- The Bus from Amarillo – Mona Stangley
- Finale – Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Guide Written By:
Laura Ware
StageAgent Editor and former dancing queen in Mamma Mia.