Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre’s production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a funny, colorful celebration of a classic musical. With a book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson, and music and lyrics by Carol Hall, it tells the story of a cherished, long-standing bordello nicknamed the “Chicken Ranch” that is threatened by public exposure. Directed by Mark Briner, with Kate Piazza as music director and Becca Vourvoulas Szymanski as choreographer, the show rejoices in pleasure and freedom. Although the performance reviewed here sadly ended halfway through due to inclement weather, even Act I alone offers a whole show’s worth of toe-tapping music, excellent singing, and top-notch dancing.
Traci Howie Denhardt plays “Chicken Ranch” owner Mona with a comic, no-nonsense hardness that hides a compassionate side. “A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place” has her explaining the rules of the place to newcomers Angel (Katie Sheldon) and Shy (Ashley Rudy), while suggesting euphemisms for Angel’s salty terms. She calls her clients guests so that they “feel at home, but not too much at home.” In “Girl You’re a Woman,” she tenderly encourages Shy and later comforts Angel after an emotional phone call.
The Girls (Erica Miller, Nicole Ricucci, Gillian Keirn, Elda Trombley, Madelyn Keir, and Nancy Louck) are sassy and seductive, making double-entendres and complaining about the heat. In “A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place,” they repeat and elaborate on Mona’s rules, while “Twenty-Four Hours of Lovin’ ” has them describing the pleasures of a full day off.
Katie Sheldon plays newcomer Angel with a streetwise hardness. She casually rattles off to Mona the problems she’s had in the business, while sporting a black eye. A phone call later shows her emotional side. Ashley Rudy brings an innocence to Shy, not understanding some of the terms the Girls used, yet still determined to work there. She hugs Mona when she takes the girl in. She shakes her first guest’s hand (Chris Rudy) before bringing him to her room. Michelle Bruno brings an enthusiasm to Mona’s assistant, Jewel. She dominates the stage in “Twenty-Four Hours of Lovin’,” joyfully telling, with a jazzy beat, how she plans to spend her time off. Chris Rudy as the Bandleader gives a history of the “Chicken Ranch” in “20 Fans.”
George W. King III brings a near-evangelical zeal to Melvin P. Thorpe, a television personality and community watchdog, who enthusiastically reports on the horrors of the “house of ill-repute” in “Texas Has a Whorehouse in It.” His Singers (Erica Miller, Nicole Ricucci, Ashley Rudy, and Elda Trombley) back up his outrage that such a place exists in Texas, while his Lone Star Strutters (Ethan Albo, Billy Luzier, Nathanael Quay, and Chris Rudy) promise to illuminate wrongdoing in “Watch Dog Theme” using flashlights.
James Zemarel plays Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd with a comic anger, furious at Thorpe’s exposé of the bordello and nervous about how it might affect him. He circles Thorpe, poking him with a finger and threatening him and his crew with arrest. John Purnell plays Mayor Rufus Poindexter with a nervousness, worried about what this unwanted publicity will do to him. Taylor Hinds brings a loneliness to diner waitress Doatsey Mae, singing wistfully in “Doatsey Mae” of the glamor of beautiful people. She is strict as Wulla Jean, the bordello’s previous owner, rolling her wheelchair over to people breaking her rules and whacking them.
Set Designer Todd Croteau, with Lead Set Builder Peter Kaiser, creates a two-level stage with many doors, leading to the Girls’ rooms. A staircase audience left leads to the second level, while a slightly raised platform is in the back near the center. The band is in the upstage center, under the second story. Many ceiling fans whirl on both levels. Chairs and tables come out for the diner scenes. Costume Designer Lisa Chadwick has colorful outfits that help distinguish each character. Thorpe wears a bright blue suit with an American flag tie; his Singers are in white gowns, while his Lone Star Strutters have cowboy hats and shirts with the Texas flag on them. Shy begins in a simple, bland dress, later changing to a sparkly green dress.
Lighting Designer Will Roberts dims the lights for more intimate songs like “Girl You’re a Woman” and “Doatsey Mae” while keeping things bright for big numbers like “20 Fans.” The Strutters sing part of their number lit by flashlights. Sound Designer Maeann Ross ensures the performers stay at a good volume. Music Director Kate Piazza balances the sometimes jazzy, sometimes country, sometimes Broadway music of the Rio Grande Band (Billy Georg, Trent Goldsmith, Noah Nicholson, David Mueller, Kevin Hawk, and Reid Bowman) with the singers, making sure that neither overwhelms the other. Choreographer Becca Vourvoulas Szymanski has many engaging country-western-themed movements throughout, like swing and line dancing. Director Mark Briner keeps the performers moving across the stage over both levels. They hit all the right comic and emotional moments, with many double-entendres, wisecracks, and tender scenes. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas feels like a celebration of Texas itself, featuring larger-than-life characters with a comic bite, trying to live as they please. To learn what happens in Act II, come down to the “Chicken Ranch”!
Running Time: Two hours and 30 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas plays through July 19, 2025, at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre – 143 Compromise Street, Annapolis, MD. For tickets ($30) call the box office at 410-268-9212 or purchase online.
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson
Music and Lyrics by Carol Hall
Based on a story by Larry L. King
Directed by Mark Briner
CAST
Mona Stangley: Traci Denhardt
Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd: James Zemarel
Melvin P. Thorpe: George King
Senator Wingwoah / C. J. Scruggs: Jamey Pelligrini
Angel: Katie Sheldon
Shy: Ashley Rudy
Jewel: Michelle Bruno
Doatsey Mae: Taylor Hinds
Governor / Mayor Rufus Poindexter: John Purnell
Edsel Mackey: Nathanael Quay
Band Leader: Chris Rudy
Chip Brewster: Ethan Albo
Chicken Ranch Ladies
Beatrice: Gillian Keirn
Dawn: Madelyn Keir
Eloise: Elda Trombley
Ginger: Nancy Louck
Linda Lou: Erica Miller
Ruby Rae: Nicole Ricucci
Aggies
Ethan Albo
Nicholas Baranosky
Shane Coleman
Billy Luzier
Nathanael Quay
Tyler Rose
Chris Rudy
Understudies
Brendan Guay, Laura Raynor, and Vanessa Van Note
