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ACTS Theatre has removed the musical, “They’re Playing Our Song” from its season. “The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas” will now be the theatre’s spring production.
The musical about a house of ill-repute in LaGrange, Texas not only has interesting characters, very funny situations, but also boasts a score of some of the best theatre songs ever written. They are not only tuneful, but they serve the characters and situations extremely well. In addition, the show has local interest as it deals with a Houston TV personality who went on a crusade to close the Chicken Ranch. The show enjoyed an extended run on Broadway, and was made into a major motion picture with Burt Reynolds and Dolly Partin. The stage show continually tours the United States playing in larger cities. The movie, however, cut many of the original songs to allow Partin to write new ones for herself and Reynolds.
The musical is based on a short story which first appeared in New York magazine. It features prominent Texas personalities: the governor; Miss Mona , the woman who is proprietress of the chicken ranch; the local sheriff, Ed Earl, who tries to save Miss Mona’s enterprise. There are also roles of Marvin Zindler, the TV reporter; Jewel, the gospel-singing, rafter-raising house keeper, Texas legislators, Texas Aggies, a choir from an ultra conservative church, the marching squad, the Angelettes, from Texas A & M, and many others players including the many ladies of all ages who work for Miss Mona. There is a funny bevy of local citizens who frequent the coffee shop where singing waitress, Doatsey Mae serves up humor, gossip, and sass. There are both singing chorus roles for men and women. Those who audition for Texas Aggies should be guys of the appropriate age.
Anyone comparing the movie version of the script to the Broadway original will find many differences. Characters in the stage version are much more humorous and are more finely delineated. The stage show is laced with many laughs.
Auditions are open to anyone interested in trying for a role, and a person may try for any part which would be age-appropriate for that actor. Although there are non-singing roles for both men and women, this is a musical and there is major need for singers who can act. Everyone should sing so that the auditions committee can test musicality. Those wishing to be considered for a lead role should bring a karaoke disc of a song which has been prepared. It is most important to prepare the audition song to best display one’s ability. All persons will be asked to read from the script which will be furnished at each audition session.
The first of two audition sessions will be held on Sunday, March 28 at 2 p.m. and Monday, March 29 at 6 p.m. Sign in will begin thirty minutes prior to start time at the ACTS One Reid Street Theatre. No experience is required, welcomed, but not a requisite. Anyone who has a scheduling problem and cannot attend these dates should call the theatre for a special audition. There is no particular age requirement, but everyone should be appropriate for the characters in the show. There are no youth roles in this production.
Rehearsals are all during off-hours from work on weekdays at 6 p.m. and weekends as schedules allow. A printed schedule is issued and delineates all rehearsals. Show dates have been announced for Jun 12, 18 and 19, and 25, 26, 27. Rehearsals and performances are held at the ACTS One Reid Street Theatre. ACTS director Marc Pettaway will stage the show.
ACTS Theatre has removed the musical, “They’re Playing Our Song” from its season. “The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas” will now be the theatre’s spring production.
The musical about a house of ill-repute in LaGrange, Texas not only has interesting characters, very funny situations, but also boasts a score of some of the best theatre songs ever written. They are not only tuneful, but they serve the characters and situations extremely well. In addition, the show has local interest as it deals with a Houston TV personality who went on a crusade to close the Chicken Ranch. The show enjoyed an extended run on Broadway, and was made into a major motion picture with Burt Reynolds and Dolly Partin. The stage show continually tours the United States playing in larger cities. The movie, however, cut many of the original songs to allow Partin to write new ones for herself and Reynolds.
The musical is based on a short story which first appeared in New York magazine. It features prominent Texas personalities: the governor; Miss Mona , the woman who is proprietress of the chicken ranch; the local sheriff, Ed Earl, who tries to save Miss Mona’s enterprise. There are also roles of Marvin Zindler, the TV reporter; Jewel, the gospel-singing, rafter-raising house keeper, Texas legislators, Texas Aggies, a choir from an ultra conservative church, the marching squad, the Angelettes, from Texas A & M, and many others players including the many ladies of all ages who work for Miss Mona. There is a funny bevy of local citizens who frequent the coffee shop where singing waitress, Doatsey Mae serves up humor, gossip, and sass. There are both singing chorus roles for men and women. Those who audition for Texas Aggies should be guys of the appropriate age.
Anyone comparing the movie version of the script to the Broadway original will find many differences. Characters in the stage version are much more humorous and are more finely delineated. The stage show is laced with many laughs.
Auditions are open to anyone interested in trying for a role, and a person may try for any part which would be age-appropriate for that actor. Although there are non-singing roles for both men and women, this is a musical and there is major need for singers who can act. Everyone should sing so that the auditions committee can test musicality. Those wishing to be considered for a lead role should bring a karaoke disc of a song which has been prepared. It is most important to prepare the audition song to best display one’s ability. All persons will be asked to read from the script which will be furnished at each audition session.
The first of two audition sessions will be held on Sunday, March 28 at 2 p.m. and Monday, March 29 at 6 p.m. Sign in will begin thirty minutes prior to start time at the ACTS One Reid Street Theatre. No experience is required, welcomed, but not a requisite. Anyone who has a scheduling problem and cannot attend these dates should call the theatre for a special audition. There is no particular age requirement, but everyone should be appropriate for the characters in the show. There are no youth roles in this production.
Rehearsals are all during off-hours from work on weekdays at 6 p.m. and weekends as schedules allow. A printed schedule is issued and delineates all rehearsals. Show dates have been announced for Jun 12, 18 and 19, and 25, 26, 27. Rehearsals and performances are held at the ACTS One Reid Street Theatre. ACTS director Marc Pettaway will stage the show.
