Carol Hall - The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas: Original Cast

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Music reviews of The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas: Original Cast

Music Review: Delightful!
Rating: 4 Stars

Why the apparent change of heart? From its title, you should expect this show to have the capability to offend. When you consider the potential coarseness of the subject matter, BLWT handles it quite tastefully. (Although there are plenty of scantily clad men and women in a few scenes, don't confuse the staged version with the more vulgar movie!) As long as you can suspend your objections to prostitution, and you don't mind rooting for the girls to keep their jobs, it really isn't that difficult of a show to digest.

That said, here are some more specifics on the show.

THE STORY:
The Chicken Ranch of Gilbert is a beloved institution in Texas. With a history harking back 80 years, it has served as a homey "pleasure palace" for the men of the Lone Star State, and is currently run by the no-nonsense Miss (not `Madam') Mona Stangley. Miss Mona runs a class act: the grounds are well-tended, her `Ladies' live under strict regulations, and the `Guests' are treated with the utmost respect and are expected to reciprocate.

Everything's fine until TV moralist `Watchdog' Melvin P. Thorpe declares a personal crusade against the Chicken Ranch. Despite the fact that "one-half of the police officers and two-thirds of the lawyers in the state of Texas grew up in this house," the political pressure mounts and the Ranch is eventually shut down. While others object, Mona just takes the bitter with the sweet and moves on.

THE MUSIC:
Carol Hall (best known for her music on SESAME STREET) has written a fun-loving score reflecting her Texas roots. Her lyrics reflect the low-key lifestyle of the citizens of Gilbert, from extolling the virtues of the Chicken Ranch ("20 Fans"), to Miss Mona's assistance to a lost girl ("Girl, You're a Woman"), to a town waitress wishing she were less respectable ("Doatsy Mae"). Two great upbeat numbers are "A Lil' Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place," in which Mona explains the rules of the Ranch to her newest Ladies, and "The Sidestep," the governor's dance for the media. Perhaps best of all are three songs of the Chicken Ranch residents as they see the writing on the wall: "No Lies," "Hard Candy Christmas," and by far the best song of the show, Mona's reflection on how she ended up in her present situation, "The Bus From Amarillo."

The only song that's a real let-down is "Good Old Girl," the sheriff's paean to Miss Mona. It doesn't help that that Sheriff Ed (Henderson Forsythe) has a terrible voice.

THE RECORDING:
While none of the voices on the original cast are standouts, everyone's voice (except Forsythe's) is pleasant enough to listen to, and their acting abilities are fine. As Miss Mona, Carlin Glynn does an admirable job being a tough Texan while still showing compassion.

Description of The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas: Original Cast