A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

Peter Masterson, Carol Hall, Larry L. King

Full Length Musical, Comedy  /  14f, 13m

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

"Utterly charming, lively and genial." - New York Daily News

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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

by  Peter Masterson Carol Hall Larry L. King

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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

OVERVIEW

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    14f, 13m
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Period
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    • Adult
    • Senior
    • Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13)
    • Teen (Age 14 - 18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 1978 Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Lyrics
    Winner! 1978 Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Music
    Nominee! 1979 Tony Award, Best Musical
    Nominee! 1979 Tony Award, Best Book of a Musical
Description
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 his righteous indignation on the institution.
History
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas was first presented on Broadway by Universal Pictures, at the 46th Street Theatre in New York City on June 19, 1978. It was directed by Peter Masterson and Tommy Tune and ran in its original production for 1,58
Keywords

Considerations

Performing Groups
  • College Theatre / Student
  • Community Theatre
  • Dinner Theatre
  • Professional Theatre
  • Large Stage
Cautions
  • Alcohol
  • Mild Adult Themes

Licence details

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Specifics

Details

  • Time Period: 1930s
  • Setting: The action takes place in the State of Texas.
  • Additional Features: Local Celebrity Cameo
  • Features / Contains: Elaborate / High Volume Costumes, Period Costumes

Casting

14f, 13m
Cast Attributes
  • Local Celebrity Cameo
  • Room for Extras
RIO GRANDE BAND
GIRLS
COWBOYS
FARMER
SHY KID
MISS WULLA JEAN
TRAVELING SALESMAN
SLICK DUDE
CHOIR
AMBER
SHY
JEWEL
MONA STANGLEY
THE GIRLS AT MISS MONA'S - Linda Lou, Dawn, Ginger, Beatrice, Taddy Jo, Ruby Rae, Eloise, Durla
LEROY SLINEY
THE DOGETTES
MELVIN P. THORPE and the MELVIN THORPE SINGERS
SOUNDMAN
STAGE MANAGER
SHERIFF ED EARL DODD
CAMERAMAN
SCRUGGS
MAYOR RUFUS POINDEXTER
EDSEL MACKEY
DOATSEY MAE
TOWNSPEOPLE
T.V. ANNOUNCER
ANGELETTE IMOGENE CHARLENE
ANGELETTES
T.V. COLORMAN
SENATOR WINGWOAH
AGGIES - #21, #71, #11, #1 the Ukrainian Placekicker, #17, #7, #12 (specialty dance), #77
PHOTOGRAPHERS
REPORTERS - #1, #2, #3
GOVERNOR and the GOVERNOR'S AIDE
Casting Notes

Also includes extras

Music

  • Musical Style: Classic Broadway, Country/Western
  • Vocal Demands: Moderate
  • Orchestra Size: Medium
1 Piano-Conductor Score
30 Vocal Books

Reed (Tenor Saxophone, Piccolo)
Trumpet
Trombone
Drums
Guitar I (Pedal Steel)
Guitar II (Rhythm)
Violin (Doubles on Viola)
Bass

Materials

Scripts

FORMATS AVAILABLE:
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

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Rehearsal Resources

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Full Package:

2 Piano-Conductor Score
30 Vocal Books

Reed
Trumpet
Trombone
Drums
Guitar I
Guitar II
Violin
Bass

Additional Resources And Services Available

Digital Perusals

Press

"Utterly charming, lively and genial."- New York Daily News

"Humorous and good natured."- New York Post

"A font of fun and friendliness, engagingly rich in regional nostalgia and spiced with delicate bawdry. The country and western score is a delight." - Time

"Best Broadway musical of the season."-WABC TV7

Song Samples

20 Fans
Press Play
A Lil' Ole Bitty Pissant Country
Press Play
Girl, You're a Woman
Press Play
Texas Has a Whorehouse In It
Press Play
Twenty Four Hours of Lovin'
Press Play
Doatsy Mae
Press Play
The Angelette March
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The Aggie Song
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The Bus From Amarillo
Press Play
The Sidestep
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No Lies
Press Play
Good Old Girl
Press Play
Hard Candy Christmas
Press Play

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Authors

Author

Peter Masterson

Carol Hall

Carol Hall

Carol Hall wrote both music and lyrics for the TONY-winning The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and contributed to Sesame Street, A...My Name is Alice, and the landmark children’s classic Free to Be You and Me. For that project, she wrote both music and lyrics for “It’s All Right To Cry,” “Parents Are People,” and “Gl ...

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Author

Larry L. King

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