THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS to Open at The Ringwald

In August 2024, a new program was born at The Ringwald. Since opening in 2007, artistic director Joe Bailey had wanted to produce little-seen musicals with one week of rehearsals and 4 performances. The first title in the Ringwald Reprise series was Applause, the musical version of the classic film All About Eve. Last year, the musical Hair was presented, selling out every performance.

This year's show is The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas with music and lyrics by Carol Hall and a book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson. On this year's selection, Ringwald artistic director Joe Bailey said this, 'We really wanted to do something fun this year. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas doesn't get produced all that often and is probably best known for the Dolly Parton film version and the song 'Hard Candy Christmas', which originated in this show. It certainly lives up to being fun! It's a perfect late-summer escapist gem.'

The Ringwald production will rehearse for 6 days and then offer 4 performances. The actors will be staged and moved and will be on-book. Performances will be August 28-31, 2026, at The Ringwald Theatre inside Affirmations in Ferndale.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is directed by Gretchen Schock. The fearless cast, all terrific area-talent, will include Katie Akers, Joe Bailey, Steph Bedore, Rachel Biber, Justin Bugeja, JM Ethridge, Becky Fisher, Mia Frontiero, Quinn Fritz, Melanie Grund, Savannah Jordan, Zena Kissinger, Marcus Laban, Reid McCoy, Harry Totten, and Mikey Vultaggio.

Also on the directing team is Rachael L. Rose who will serve as music/vocal director along with fellow musician and associate music director Michael Katopodes.

Tickets for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas are $35 for performances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and $25 on Mondays. Tickets are currently available at theRingwald.com. This year the Ringwald will be going cashless but credit cards will be accepted at the door. Performances on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays are at 7:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. The Ringwald is located inside of Affirmations Community Center at 290 W. 9 Mile Road in downtown Ferndale, Michigan.

The Ringwald opened 17 years ago on May 11, 2007, with Fatal Attraction: A Greek Tragedy and became a mainstay of Detroit's theatre community. Past highlights include Annie, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Beautiful Thing, Jingle Babs, The Inheritance, Misery, Puffs, Head Over Heels, The Rocky Horror Show, Heathers The Musical, Mr. Burns: a post-electric play, Angels in America, Into the Woods, August: Osage County, Mercury Fur, The Bad Seed, and Evil Dead: The Musical. The Ringwald was named 2009, 2012 and 2013 Best Theatrical Troupe by Real Detroit and Best Place to See Local Theatre in 2010, 2011 and 2012 by readers of Metro Times.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

Music and Lyrics by Carol Hall
Book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson

CAST & CREW

• Miss Mona: Joe Bailey
• Melvin P. Thorpe: Mikey Vultaggio
• Jewell: Katie Akers
• Sheriff Ed Earl: Harry Totten
• The Governor: JM Ethridge & Becky Fisher

Ensemble:

• Steph Bedore
• Rachel Biber
• Justin Bugeja
• Mia Frontiero
• Quinn Fritz
• Melanie Grund
• Savannah Jordan
• Zena Kissinger
• Marcus Laban
• Reid McCoy

Director: Gretchen Schock

Music and Vocal Director: Rachael L. Rose

Music and Associate Vocal Direction: Michael Katopodes

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