TexARTS Announces THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS Cast and Creatives

The TexARTS Professional Series presents The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, the spirited musical comedy that recounts the heyday and demise of the infamous "Chicken Ranch." The musical by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson with music and lyrics by Carol Hall plays August 18 - September 3, 2017 at the Kam & James Morris Theatre in Lakeway.

The cast features Christina Stroup as Miss Mona, the classy yet brassy madam with a heart of gold. Jarret Mallon as Ed Earl, the hotheaded, celebrated cussin' Sheriff joins her. The cast includes Joe Falocco (Melvin P. Thorpe), Roderick Sanford (Jewel), Yanis Kalnins (Governor), Zach Thompson (Senator Wingwoah), Corinna Browning (Doatsy Mae), LAuren DeFilippo (Angel) and Kristen DeGroot (Shy). The company features Emily McIntyre, Lara Wright, Lindsay Palinsky, Kaitlin Street, Thomas Griffin Williams, Nathan Daniel Ford, Michael Wheeler, J. Dylan Gibson and Ryan Alvarado.

"Since the early '80's, when Burt and Dolly descended on Pflugerville to film the movie version, this has been one of my absolute favorite musicals," said Jarret Mallon, TexARTS executive director. "I'm so thrilled that TexARTS is bringing this big bawdy show back to The Lone Star State. It's going to be a racy, flirty, sexy evening with some amazing performers."

Sarah Gay directs the show. Ms. Gay returns to TexARTS having previously directed Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show and My Way. New York-based choreographer, Kimberly Schafer returns, having previously choreographed TexARTS' All Shook Up and directed The Marvelous Wonderettes. Ms. Schafer is the dance assistant to Tommy Tune, the Tony Award-winning director and choreographer of the original Broadway production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Award-winning music director, Susan Finnigan serves as the production's musical director.

The creative team includes Chris Conard (scenic design), Colleen McCool-Pierce (costume design), Justin Beets (light design), Andrew Twenter (sound design), Reilly Cox (properties design) and Stephen Mercantel (stage manager).

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a political satire full of flirty fun and gusto. Based on a true story, the show tells of the demise of a brothel located just down the road from Austin. The real-life story made national headlines in the 1970's when investigative reporter Marvin Zindler started a crusade to shut the infamous house that had been in operation for more than a century. The cornball TV personality from Houston caused such a primetime ruckus that the local politicos, most of whom were regular customers, forced the Sheriff to close down the legendary institution. The show ran for 1,584 performances on Broadway and was nominated for eight Tonys, including best musical, in 1979. A film adaptation followed in 1982, starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds.

This production contains adult content and language.

Single tickets start at $40. Single tickets are available by calling TexARTS Box Office at 512-852-9079 x101 or at www.tex-arts.org. All ages are welcome and parking is free. Group rates are available.

Show times: August 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31 and Sept. 1, 2 at 7:30 pm, August 20, 27 and Sept. 3 at 2:00 pm. A special student preview performance will be held August 17 at 7:30 pm.

All performances will be held at the intimate Kam & James Morris Theatre at TexARTS' Erin Doherty Studios, 2300 Lohman's Spur, Suite #160, Lakeway, TX. The lounge opens one hour prior to curtain and offers beer, wine and light snacks. Parking is free.

TexARTS, the Lake Travis nonprofit for the visual and performing arts, offers completely staged professional productions and is a performing and visual arts educational academy. TexARTS is proud to employ hundreds of professional regional actors, musicians and artistic staff living here in Austin.

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