Little Theatre stages 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas'

“The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” opens Friday, Feb. 27, at the Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County and runs through Sunday, March 15. Author Carol Hall has said that despite its title, the show contains plenty of goodwill. That sentiment is echoed by Artistic Director Bart Herman.

“I am proud to bring this show to the Little Theatre stage,” Herman said.

The Broadway musical is based on the true story of the Chicken Ranch, a popular brothel in La Grange, Texas. The production is rated PG-13 for language and sexual content.

Set in the 1970s, the story centers on a brothel operating outside the fictional town of Gilbert, Texas, for more than a century. It is run by Miss Mona Stangley, who inherited it from the original owner, Miss Wulla Jean. Stangley maintains a cordial relationship with Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd and contributes to the community. Conflict arises when crusading television reporter Melvin P. Thorpe, based on Houston news personality Marvin Zindler, exposes the illegal activity, triggering political fallout.

The cast includes Guinevere Rhoads as Mona Stangley; Mark Adkins as Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd; Kameron Murdock as Melvin P. Thorpe; Brooke Jai as Jewel; Gillian Kaschak as Angel; Madison Kearney as Shy; Alison Foutz as Linda Lou; April Bonvechio as Dawn; Elizabeth Thomakos as Ginger; Shavonne McMillan as Beatrice; Mykala Aldergate as Taddy Jo; Anna Zurcher as Rube Rae and Imogene Charlene; Molly Allison as Eloise; Morgan Marshall as Durla; Aaron Holmes as C.J. Scruggs; Brian Keith as Mayor Rufus Poindexter; Mark Limbaugh as Edsel Mackey; Wendy Schanz as Doatsy Mae; Casey McMillan as the TV colorman; Don Irven as Sen. Wingwoah Chester Boffo; Kim Eick as Miss Wulla Jean; Conner Limbaugh as Bernard Richards; Ethan Parris as Sam Marazita; and Jared Cochran as Tanner Amos.

Production staff includes Chester Boffo, set design; Boffo, Don Irven, Morgan Marshall and Aaron Holmes, set construction; Amy Vance, scenic painter; Annabeth Stennett, lighting design; Eloise Haverfield, sound design and operator; Pam Douglas, props; Jackie Luthy, Elizabeth Thomakos, Pam Douglas, Herman and Kim Eick, costumes; Annabeth Stennett, production stage manager; Pam Douglas, stage manager; Patty Limbaugh, Mark Limbaugh, Aaryn Stockon, Stephanie Freitag and Kenn Holmes, stage crew; Molly Weidig and Rachel Tassile, choreographers; Debi Devore, hair and makeup; Seth Rhodes and Sheila Samson-Witt, producers; and Jackie Luthy, assistant director.

The musical is written by Carol Hall, Larry L. King and Peter Masterson and received multiple awards for its stage and film versions.

Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Kent State Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center box office, by calling 330-308-6400, at thelittletheatreonline.org or at the door before performances.

The production is sponsored by Dover Eagles No. 515, Park Village Health Care Center, Levco Striping Service Inc., Sharon Levengood and Chris Witt.

The Little Theatre is at 466 Carrie Ave. NW, New Philadelphia.