Roger Allan Raby

THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS is a light-hearded musical based on the notorious Texas born brothel 'Chicken Ranch.' Thanks to a silent agreement between the madam, Miss Mona Stangley, and Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd (based on good ol' boy Sheriff Jim Flournoy), things are all quiet on the range. But when flashy, young reporter Melvin P. Thorpe (based on the late, great Houstonite Marvin Zindler) reveals the ranch to the town, sparks fly high in the heart of Texas.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) just announced the cast of The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, running June 5 - 17 at the Hobby Center for The Performing Arts. It's all big songs and big hair in this sassy, spirited musical about a real-life brothel in Texas. Based on the "Chicken Ranch", the infamous, long-running house of ill repute, this tongue-in-cheek story chronicles Miss Mona Stangley, a classy yet brassy madam with a heart of gold, as her "business" becomes the center of a media controversy. Thrusting the Chicken Ranch into the spotlight is Melvin P. Thorpe, a loud-mouthed reporter based on Houston's own late Marvin Zindler. Spicing up the story line is a hot-headed, trigger-happy town sheriff, the Texas A&M football team, and Miss Mona's risque girls. The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas will be a feisty, fun-filled treat that includes favorites such as "A Lil' Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place" and "Hard Candy Christmas".