The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas 1978

Opened: June 19, 1978
Closing: March 27, 1982

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas - 1978 - Broadway History , Info & More

46th Street Theatre
226 W.46th St. New York, NY

Based on a story by Larry L. King

The saga of the legendary “Chicken Ranch”! “We’re gonna ROMP and STOMP and WHOOP IT UP tonight” at the most famous little “chicken ranch” in Texas. It began in Houston, toured the world and held Vegas at bay for two years, not to mention its remarkable run on Broadway where it earned two Tonys and a slew of Drama Desks. Now The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is back home at TUTS. Join rowdy football boys, a gun-happy sheriff, curvaceous crazy cheer¬leaders and, of course, Miss Mona with her racy girls. It’s “just one small thrill but there’s nothin’ dirty goin’ on!”

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Broadway Baby Susannah B Appears on 'It's Showtime with Rikki Lee'
by Michael Major - Oct 24, 2023

Singer/songwriter Susannah B has music in her blood. She is the daughter of the late Broadway composer and lyricist Carol Hall, whose credits include the 1978 classic The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and its 1994 Broadway sequel The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public.  Listen to her on a podcast episode now!

Original A CHORUS LINE Star Pamela Blair Dies at 73
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BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that original 'Val' in A CHORUS LINE, Pamela Blair has died at 73. in Phoenix.

Amber Iman, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Annie Golden & More to be Featured in Williamstown Theatre Festival Readings
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 29, 2023

Amber Iman, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Annie Golden and more will be featured in Williamstown Theatre Festival's Fridays@3 reading series.

Review: THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE at Alhambra Theatre And Dining
by Jordan Higginbotham - Mar 2, 2023

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, the second show of the 2023 season at the Alhambra Theatre and Dining, opened on February 10th. The audience observed wonderful storytelling as the actors revealed how “The Chicken Ranch” got its start and was ultimately shut down when it was revealed to be a brothel of sorts.

Alhambra Theatre & Dining Presents THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS Beginning Next Week
by Stephi Wild - Feb 3, 2023

For the first time in nearly two decades, the Alhambra Theatre & Dining will stage the musical comedy, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.  The second show of the Alhambra’s 2023 Season (it’s 55th season) officially opens Friday evening, February 10. It will be preceded by two “preview” performance on Thursday, February 9. 

Summer Classic Film Series Returns To The Majestic Theater in 2021
by A.A. Cristi - May 17, 2021

Gettysburg College's Majestic Theater celebrates the return of its summer classic film series in 2021 after a forced hiatus last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Enjoy classic movies in the beautifully restored historic theater Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m. June through August. Tickets are just $7 and are on sale now. Advanced ticket purchase is strongly recommended.

Student Blog: Zodiac Signs of Tony-Nominated Musicals
by Student Blogger: Madison Moore - Mar 22, 2021

The criteria are that these shows have been nominated for Best Musical from the 3rd Tony Awards (the ceremony that started the Best Musical category) in 1949 to the nominations of what will now be the 74th Tony Awards in 2021. I will be determining their signs based upon their Broadway premiere date. With those rules in mind, here we go!

Photo Coverage: Ethan Slater, Betsy Wolfe, and More Perform at BROADWAY BY THE YEAR: 1965 & 1978
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - May 21, 2019

The Town Hall presented Broadway By The Year: Broadway Musicals of 1965 and 1978 on Monday, May 20 at 8pm. Check out the photos from the performance!

Photo Coverage: Backstage at BROADWAY BY THE YEAR: 1965 & 1978
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - May 21, 2019

The Town Hall presented Broadway By The Year: Broadway Musicals of 1965 and 1978 on Monday, May 20 at 8pm. Check out the photos from backstage!

SMT's BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS Opens May 17
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2019

Based on the true story of a legendary brothel that operated from the 1840s to 1973, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a rollicking hootenanny of a musical. Miss Mona's cozy bordello, The Chicken Ranch, is the heart and soul of this small Texas town -also one of its worst-kept secrets.

Corbin Bleu, Betsy Wolfe, and More Up Next at BROADWAY BY THE YEAR
by Julie Musbach - Apr 17, 2019

The Town Hall presents Broadway By The Year: Broadway Musicals of 1965 and 1978on Monday, May 20 at 8pm. Created, written, hosted and directed by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall, the evening continues Broadway By The Year's 19th season at The Town Hall

BWW Review: THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS a High-Energy, Fun Escape at Carrollwood Players Theatre
by Deborah Bostock-Kelley - Mar 3, 2019

Like Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper radiating adoration and raw sexual chemistry, singing "Shallow" at the Oscars, as Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd's hand roved up Miss Mona Stangley's lace stockings while they nuzzled on the couch, Angel Tuider Frale and Michael c De Baca scorched the stage at Carrollwood Players. The yearning for something more, an unrequited love was palatable. That's called great acting.

BWW Review: THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS at Palm Canyon Theatre
by Stan Jenson - Mar 2, 2019

Palm Canyon Theatre's current production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas breathes plenty of energy - and a fair bit of sexuality - into the 1978 musical. Although it is not the first musical to be based on a factual event, it has certainly chosen one of the stranger events to revisit: the closing of a Texas brothel called The Chicken Ranch.

BWW Review: Andréa Burns Says Buona Sera To The York's CARMELINA
by Michael Dale - Feb 1, 2019

With a proliferation of pimps, drug dealers and muggers saturating Times Square, business on Broadway was struggling during much of the 1970s, with theatres frequently left empty for long stretches and shows that didn't receive enthusiastic praise from the critics usually shutting down quickly.

Photo Flash: San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon Presents THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 4, 2018

San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon (Daren A.C. Carollo and Daniel Thomas, Co-Executive Directors) has announced the full cast and creative team for the opening production of its 2018-2019 season, THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS (nominated for seven Tony Awards). THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS features a book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson, and music and lyrics by Carol Hall. 42nd Street Moon's production runs from October 3 - 21, 2018 and will perform at San Francisco's Gateway Theatre (formerly the Eureka Theatre). The press opening will take place on Saturday, October 6 at 6:00 p.m. Tickets range from $30 - $75 and can be purchased through the Box Office at (415) 255-8207 or online at www.42ndstmoon.org.

42nd Street Moon Announces Cast of THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS
by Julie Musbach - Sep 5, 2018

San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon (Daren A.C. Carollo and Daniel Thomas, Co-Executive Directors) has announced the full cast and creative team for the opening production of its 2018-2019 season, THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS (nominated for seven Tony Awards). 

The Studio Theatre Presents THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS
by Stephi Wild - Jul 22, 2018

The Studio Theatre Presents THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, July 12 - July 29, 2018.

Ayme Olivo, Richard Bermudez and Davis Gaines to Star in EVITA at Musical Theatre West
by BWW News Desk - Feb 10, 2017

Musical Theatre West (MTW) presents Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice's musical masterpiece Evita at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center February 10-26.

Ayme Olivo, Richard Bermudez and Davis Gaines to Star in EVITA at Musical Theatre West
by BWW News Desk - Feb 3, 2017

Musical Theatre West (MTW) presents Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice's musical masterpiece Evita at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center February 10-26.

PARADE, GHOST and More Slated for Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival's 2017 Season
by BWW News Desk - Sep 1, 2016

The Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival / Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Inc. announced their 2017 lineup Saturday, August 27 at their annual Festival Fundraiser.

BWW Review: Playhouse's BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE Entertains Despite Lackluster Material
by Jeff Davis - Aug 1, 2016

This particular production is winner. There's plenty to enjoy about The Playhouse's production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. The campy, over-the-top farce is wildly entertaining, and overall it's a feast for the eyes and ears.

VIDEO: 'Inside the Texas Chicken Ranch' Explores THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE's Country Place
by Michael Dale - Jul 25, 2016

A new book tells the true story of the infamous brothel that inspired the hit Broadway musical.

Kristin Chenoweth-Led THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS Coming to Broadway?
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 6, 2016

As BroadwayWorld reported last week, Rob Ashford just directed a private industry reading of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas with an all-star cast, including Broadway favorite Kristen Chenoweth. Now according to her recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter, the show might go on to have a life on Broadway. She explains: 'I think there is financing in place and I think it has to be a decision we can make and I have another show that I'm involved with about Tammy Faye Bakker. It's all about timing.'

Kristin Chenoweth, Kevin McKidd, Christopher Sieber, Jennifer Holliday & More Lead THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS Reading
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 29, 2016

BroadwayWorld has just learned that there will be a private industry reading today, June 29, of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, with direction by Rob Ashford.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Prologue
Twenty Fans
A Lil' Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place
Girl, You're a Woman
Watch Dog Theme
Texas Has a Whorehouse in It
Twenty-Four Hours of Lovin'
Doatsy Mae
The Angelette March
The Aggie Song [i]
The Bus From Amarillo
The Sidestep
No Lies
Good Old Girl
Hard Candy Christmas
The Aggie Song [ii]
Keepin' Books
Memory Song
Two Blocks from the Capitol Building
Goddam Everything
Sneakin' Around
I Will Always Love You
Courtyard Shag
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas has had 12 productions including Off-Broadway which opened in 1978, Off-Broadway which opened in 1978, Broadway which opened in 1978, Broadway which opened in 1978, US Tour which opened in 1979, US Tour which opened in 1979, West End which opened in 1981, Broadway which opened in 1982, Broadway which opened in 1982, US Tour which opened in 2001, Broadway which opened in 2006 and Broadway which opened in 2006.
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas has been nominated for several Tony Awards. It was nominated for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical for Peter Masterson, Best Book of a Musical for Larry L. King, and Best Choreography for Tommy Tune.
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas has been nominated for the Performance category at the Theatre World Awards for Carlin Glynn.
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas has won the Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Carlin Glynn.

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