Shameless Plug...

The Springfield Theatre Centre kicks off 2006 with the award-winning true story
about hypocritical politicians, half-naked showgirls, and governors who rule by public opinion.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is based on the true story of a legendary Texas Brothel known as the Chicken Ranch, which operated from the 1840's to 1973 when it was finally shut down by the efforts of a crusading Houston radio commentator and his conservative audience.

The musical, the book by Larry L. King & Peter Masterson, and Lyrics and Music by Carol Hall, begins during the last days of the Chicken Ranch (which earned its name because, during the depression, customers were allowed to pay with poultry!). Melvin P. Thorpe (played by Michael Murphy), a television broadcaster eager for the spotlight, has just scored a career triumph by exposing a peanut bar for not having as many peanuts as advertised. And now he turns his attention to what is potentially a much bigger triumph - this appalling thing he calls "loveless copulation" at the Chicken Ranch. Although many of the state's politicians have, in fact, been customers of the brothel, they are eager to preserve their political careers and thus choose to publicly denounce the Chicken Ranch and its inhabitants.

Finally, in spite of the protection of the local sheriff (played by Rich McCoy), Miss Mona (played by Lori Ann Fahnders), the proprietress of the Chicken Ranch, is thrown out onto the street along with all of her girls (played by Stephanie Berch, Fran Byers, Shirene Thomas, Lisa Mayes, Ashley Warren, Amy Heuman, Grace Gietl, Nickel Hayes, Cari Keysar, and Emma Jo Schumacher), even as Melvin P. Thorpe receives a commendation from the Governor (played by Steve Williams) for his services to the state of Texas.

Also starring are Kim Hepworth as Jewel, Mary E. Myers as the Bandleader, Laurie McCoy as Doatsey Mae, and John Woodruff as Senator Wingwoah.

Rounding out the cast are Tony Cunningham, Brad Lowman, Nathan Alderman, Jacob House, Mike Martin, Craig Williams, Phillip “Teddy” Paschal, DJ Rudd, and Tom Beeve.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is directed by STC’s Interim Artistic Director, Bill Bauser, Jr., who brought to the Springfield Theater stage the immensely popular Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and will be directing The King and I this summer at Springfield Muni Opera.

Production dates are January 13-15, and 20-22, 2006. Friday and Saturday shows are at 8:00 P.M., and Sunday matinees are at 2:00 P.M. All shows are performed at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, located at 420 South Sixth Street, in downtown Springfield. Ticket prices are $11.75, and $10.75, and may be reserved by calling 217-523-ARTS (2787)