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Written By: Book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson
Music and lyrics by Carol Hall
By arrangement with ORiGiN Theatrical on behalf of Samuel French
Directed By: Martin Barbary
'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' is a famous fun musical that originally opened on Broadway in 1978, and run for an amazing 1,584 performances, winning many awards in the process. It later ran again on the West End, before being made into an award winning movie starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds. It is over 10 years since this show was last performed in Adelaide, and it is expected to be very popular.
The show is set in the late 1970s, and revolves around a brothel, affectionately known as ‘The Chicken Ranch’, that has been operating outside of fictional town of Gilbert, Texas, for more than a century. It is currently under the proprietorship of Miss Mona Stangley, having been left to her by the original owner. While taking care of her girls, she is also on good terms with the local sheriff, Ed Earl Dodd. When crusading television reporter Melvin P. Thorpe decides to make the illegal activity an issue, the politicians pressure the Sheriff to shut the place down. But will Miss Mona be able to save the ‘Chicken Ranch’?
The show features a large cast, usually more than 30, and a live band, and there are numerous other opportunities to be involved in the show.
Being a musical, the band is a very important part of this stage production and all music will be played live. Playing in front of a live audience is always exciting and satisfying, and in this show the band will not be hidden in an orchestra pit, but will be in full view of the audience.
Roles Available:
This musical requires actors, singers, dancers and musicians.
All actors/singers will be expected to be able to perform with a Texan accent. Due to the subjects included in the show, all performers should be over the age of 18.
Actors/Singers/Dancers
Female Roles
All female roles will involve singing and dancing. The main roles will all involve acting and have lines, whilst most chorus roles will be predominantly singing and dancing.
Some doubling up of roles may occur dependant on the number of people auditioning. Similarly the chorus can vary in number up to 14.
Other than the Miss Mona, the Melvin P Thorpe singers and the Ladies Choir, all female roles will be expected to look under 30 and will need to wear skimpy but tasteful costumes in keeping with their employment at Miss Mona’s.
Roles available:
Miss Mona – Owner of the Chicken Ranch - Acting/singing/dancing
Angel – One of Miss Mona’s Girls - Acting/singing/dancing
Shy – One of Miss Mona’s Girls - Acting/singing/dancing
Jewel - Miss Mona’s Girls - Acting/singing – more mature role
Doatsey Mae – Attractive but more mature waitress – Singing and dancing
Imogen Charlene – Leader of the Angelettes – Singing and dancing
Linda Lou - One of Miss Mona’s Girls - Acting/singing/dancing
Ruby Rae - One of Miss Mona’s Girls - Acting/singing/dancing
Beatrice - One of Miss Mona’s Girls - Acting/singing/dancing
Eloise - One of Miss Mona’s Girls - Acting/singing/dancing
Durla - One of Miss Mona’s Girls - Acting/singing/dancing
Dawn - One of Miss Mona’s Girls - Acting/singing/dancing
Ginger - One of Miss Mona’s Girls - Acting/singing/dancing
Melvin P Thorpe Singers – Multiple roles – Singing and dancing
Ladies Choir Singers – Multiple singing roles
Number of extras – various acting and singing parts, various ages
Male Roles
The majority of the male roles are for singers/dancers under 30 years old, although there are three key roles that could suit older males.
Some doubling up of roles may occur dependant on the number of males with the required skill sets. Similarly the male chorus parts can also vary in number up to 10.
Roles available:
Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd – Key role – Acting and singing
Melvin P Thorpe – Key role – Acting and singing – more mature role
Commentator - Mainly acting
Governor – Acting/singing/dancing – more mature role
Mayor Poindexter – Acting role – any age
The Dogettes - Male singing group - Multiple roles - Singing/dancing
The Aggies - Football team – under 30 - multiple roles – Singing and dancing. Includes some specialty dance
TV Announcer - Acting
Senator Wingwoah - Acting
Farmer - Acting
Travelling Salesman - Acting
Slick Dude - Acting
Number of extras – Various acting and some singing roles
Musicians
The band is expected to consist of the following instruments, although other combinations are possible and may be considered.
Conductor/Musical Director
Piano/Electronic piano (could be combined with conductor)
Reed (either saxophone or clarinet – maybe two)
Violin (doubles on Viola)
Guitar I (pedal steel)
Guitar II
Bass
Drums
Trumpet
Trombone
Rehearsals:
All rehearsals will be held at Blackwood.
Not all performers will be required for all rehearsals although they are always welcome to attend any rehearsal. Performers will be only required to attend a maximum of two rehearsals per week, and initially most dancers/singers will only need to attend one rehearsal per week.
Rehearsals will be on Sunday night from 7:00 - 9:30pm and Tuesday nights from 7:30 - 9:45pm, with some key roles being required on some Wednesdaynights.
The band rehearsals are planned to be once a week on the Tuesday night orSunday night.
All cast/band will be required at all rehearsals for the two weeks prior to the season opening.
Performances:
Friday 7th, 14th, 21st August 2015
Saturday 8th, 15th, 22nd August 2015
All performances are at 8:00pm
Venue:
Blackwood 21
21 Coromandel Parade
Blackwood SA
Auditions:
A separate round of auditions will be held for actors/singers/dancers, and another round for the musicians in the band.
Due to the high level of interest in roles, those wishing to audition must register their interest by emailing
blackwood.players@gmail.com advising of their preferred date and time to audition, and if applicable, their preferred roles. Emails should have ‘BWT Auditions’ in the email title for acting/singing/dancing auditions or ‘BWT Auditions – Musician’ in the email title for musicians. Additional information and audition confirmation will be sent by return email.
Auditions will be held on the following dates and times:
Actors/Singers/Dancers –
Sunday 19th April - 6:30pm
Tuesday 21st April - 7:30pm
Sunday 26th April - 6:30pm
Musicians –
Sunday 19th April - 3 til 6pm
Sunday 26th April - 3 til 6pm
Venue:
Main Theatre
Blackwood 21
21 Coromandel Parade
Blackwood SA
More Information:
Martin Barbary on 0481 373 949 or via
blackwood.players@gmail.com
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