THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS ending(s)

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 7:39pm

I recently saw a production of this and was pretty surprised to see "The Bus From Amarillo" ends the show. This is apparently the way the show is officially licensed by Samuel French.

As per the OBCR, IBDB and various other sources the original show ended with a reprise of "20 Fans" and this song ended the first act.

When/why did they change it? Does anyone one here know?

[morosco]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 8:58pm

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but I think "Bus From Amarillo" was moved to the end of Act II for the short lived London production and I think it's that production that is what is now the licensed version.  Putting it at the end of the show makes the number much more effective in my humble opinion.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 10:27pm

Anytime I've ever seen it "The Bus From Amarillo" has always been the act one finale, but I've not seen the licensed libretto from Samuel French so I don't know which version is correct.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 5/23/16 at 12:19am

CATS what versions were you seeing if not the licensed Samuel French version? Even the Actor's Fund concert a decade ago used that version.

A little more research gave me some more info. Off-Broadway it was sung in the middle of Act One by one of the Whores, then moved to the end of Act One for the Broadway opening before finally being moved to the end during the OBC run. The first major production to open with that version was indeed the 1981/2 London run.

I guess the reason why was as morosco says to give the song more power and since there is already a "dark horse" solo in act one (the useless but beautiful "Doatsy Mae" but I don't think it works as a finale for the show. I don't even think it really fits Mona either and would like to have seen its context being sung by one of the whores.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/23/16 at 1:39am

I saw the tour in 2001 with Ann-Margret which I believe ended the first act with Mona singing "The Bus From Amarillo" as well as a local regional production that also ended the first act with that song. If the licensed version is different then the company must have made the change on their own either with or likely without permission.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 5/23/16 at 1:57am

You know I forgot about that touring revival. It incorporated a new song for Mona at the end of Act Two which I guess allowed them to relocate "Amarillo" to the end of Act One.

Ovrtur shows that the only other official production of that version was at the Signature Theatre, perhaps that was the one you saw?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/23/16 at 2:18am

It wasn't. It was a small local company here in San Diego.

So what song is used as the act one finale when "The Bus From Amarillo" is in the second act?

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 5/23/16 at 5:14am

The version i saw just ended the act with the raid on the whorehouse, no song at all.

Fascinating how many different versions there are.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/23/16 at 6:05am

I did the show in summer stock with original cast member Becky Ann Baker (Becky Gelke then) as MIss Mona. The raid on the whorehouse ended Act One, and our show ended with the 20 fans reprise.

[newintown]

Posted: 5/23/16 at 8:23am

I played the show back in '85, and Act I ended with the whorehouse raid - the last full song of Act I was "The Aggie Song", and the last song in Act II was "Bus From Amarillo." I think it's a perfect song for Miss Mona, and a perfect bittersweet ending to a bittersweet show. I hate the ridiculous happy ending created for the movie. It's saccharine and Disney-ish.

I also know the actress who originally sang "Bus" in the Actors Studio production, and who then quit when Carlin Glynn's husband took the song form her and gave it to Carlin. It was a major hurt for her, but the kind of punch an actor needs to be able to roll with.

Updated On: 5/23/16 at 08:23 AM

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 5/23/16 at 8:32am

There is a very entertaining book called "The Whorehouse Papers" which chronicles the making of the musical; this number and various placements is discussed in detail.  The book is written by one of the authors of the musical so it's interesting to get their perspective on all the changes.

Here is a clip of the end of the show ("Bus from Amarillo" from the final Broadway performance after the show made a return engagement in 1982. I love the chorus that comes in at the end of the song.

 

https://youtu.be/C5JHecxZ2ec