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Review: THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE at Alhambra Theatre And Dining

Review: THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE at Alhambra Theatre And Dining

The production runs now through March 12th

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, the second show of the 2023 season at the Alhambra Theatre and Dining, opened on February 10th. The musical first premiered in 1978 based on a story by Larry L. King that was inspired by a real place called "The Chicken Ranch." The Alhambra was kind enough to give historical notes of "The Chicken Ranch" in the playbills. 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.

The main character, Miss Mona (Lisa Booth) did a wonderful job playing a mama bear who welcomes "customers" to The Chicken Ranch but will also protect the girls of the house at all costs. While Booth has great singing talent, my favorite moments of hers did not involve her terrific numbers. Booth truly displayed Miss Mona's character as she attempts to help Shy (Kylie Giliberto) in this new world she has fallen into after running away from a complicated home life (to say the least). I also loved Booth's presentation of Miss Mona as she catches Angel (LeAndre) calling home to talk to her son, and then arranges for Angel to be home by Christmas Eve to spend time with him.

The crowd loved to hate the brilliant antagonist, Melvin P. Thorpe (Jonathan Van Dyke). He presented as the perfect villain out to ruin everyone else's "fun" and make himself look holier than thou in the process. His best scene was "Texas Has a Whorehouse in It" Even though he is playing a villain, the audience couldn't help but laugh as he and his Thorpe Singers and Dogettes sing and dance about how distraught they are that such a thing could exist in their state.

I would be remised to not mention "The Aggie Song." The song is sung by a group of Texas A&M football players that are going to The Chicken Ranch after a big win at the expense of Senator Wingwoah (Alec Hadden). The boys had the audience laughing from beginning to end with the way they presented the lyrics and characters. The actors in this scene included Melvin Edward Nash II, Nathan Roberts, Noah Blohowiak, Erick Ariel Sureda, and Christopher Michael Milligan. The choreography in this number was also impressive!

Overall, the show was exceptionally entertaining. The cast is wonderfully talented and a joy to watch. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas will be at The Alhambra Theatre and Dining now through March 12th!



Alhambra Theatre & Dining to Present ARSENIC AND OLD LACE Beginning This Month Photo
The hysterical dark comedy, Arsenic and Old Lace will open at Jacksonville's Alhambra Theatre & Dining on March 23, 2023. Best known through the 1944 film starring Cary Grant and directed by Frank Capra, Arsenic and Old Lace was written in 1939. The play opened on Broadway at the Fulton Theatre on January 10, 1941.

DaVinciBands Releases New Song Young Bands Photo
It is said that art comes in many forms. DaVinciBands illustrates that point with his 2023 debut, 'Young Bands.' DaVinciBands' artist name is an homage to the great, Leonardo da Vinci, in the sense that DaVinciBands sees himself as more than just a rapper, but as a true artist. 'Young Bands' has the bravado and boasting omnipresent in Rap, but also has the hopeful, motivational lyricism prevalent in Hip-Hop; thus, demonstrating DaVinciBands' versatility, and lyrical and artistic prowess.

Famed 80s Rock Music Photographer Mark Weissguy Weiss to Present The Decade That Rocked Re Photo
Photographer Mark Weiss will appear live at Gallery 725 on Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26 to greet fans and talk about the history behind his classic photographs.

MEAN GIRLS On Sale At Jacksonville Center For The Performing Arts, February 24 Photo
The FSCJ Artist Series has announced that single tickets for the First National Tour of Mean Girls— the record-breaking new musical comedy produced by Lorne Michaels, Stuart Thompson, Sonia Friedman, and Paramount Pictures based on the hit film—is coming to the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts on April 20th through April 25th.


From This Author - Jordan Higginbotham

Jordan is a graduate student and dietetic intern. Theater is her artistic escape from the world of science and dietetics. Jordan has enjoyed being the Jacksonville Regional Contributor fo... (read more about this author)


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