BWW Reviews: OLT's 'THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS' - A Memorable Production

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas came to Fair Lawn, New Jersey and their audiences enjoyed every minute of it. The musical is an ambitious project for a community theater. Yet, the Fair Lawn Recreation Department's resident theatre company, Old Library Theatre (OLT), brought together a talented company of singers, dancers, and actors who were deeply invested in the success of the production. Whorehouse played at the George Frey Center for Art and Recreation for two consecutive weekends from October 25th through November 3rd.

Directed by Craig M. Tiede with musical direction by Charles Santoro and choreography by Oren Korenblum, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas was the final main stage production of the OLT's 2013 season and it proved to be an absolute gem. The Executive Producer for the show was Peg Peet. OLT's overall staging of Whorehouse was carefully conceived to keep the pace of the play moving with well designed mobile sets.

The musical score was brought to life by the talented leads, Miss Mona Stangley played by Madison Houck; Angel played by Katie Weigl; Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd played by Matthew Kougasian III, and a host of other cast members whose song and dance numbers will be long remembered.

Whorehouse is the true story of the Chicken Ranch, known since the 1850s as one of the better pleasure palaces in all of Texas. Politicians, athletes and maybe even a lawman or two were known to frequent Miss Mona's cozy bordello until television puritan Melvin Thorpe decided to focus his TV cameras and righteous indignation on the institution in a statewide effort to shut it down. The show has both comedic value and a lot of heart.

The show in two acts included energetic numbers like Texas Has a Whorehouse In It, led by Melvin P. Thorpe played by Brian Eller and the raucous, fun scene, Aggies' Locker Room. There were also sensitive, melancholy pieces like Hard Candy Christmas by the talented group of young women who played the girls at Miss Mona's and Mona's beautiful, final solo, Bus from Amarillo.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas was a memorable production that proves the value of community theater; it showcases excellent talent and brings culture to local towns.

Old Library Theatre was started in 1967 by a handful of dreamers who wanted to make the joy of theatre performance available to everyone through community theatre. They are committed to producing quality productions at an affordable price. OLT is the resident theater company of the The Fair Lawn Recreation Center, located at 10-10 20th Street (corner of Kipp Street) in Fair Lawn, NJ. Reservations for future performances can be made by calling the theater at 201-797-3553 or by ticket register online ticketing via www.oldlibrarytheater.net.

Photo: Courtesy of Old Library Theatre