Auditions for "Best Little Wh*rehouse in Texas"
Auditions July 8 and 9, 2019 at 8pm at The Dayton Playhouse
1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave, Dayton, OH 45414 (inside Wegerzyn MetroPark)
Directed by Brian Sharp
Musical Direction – Ron Kindell
Choreography – Sandra Hyde
Production Dates – September 13-29, 2019
All roles are open to audition. We are seeking a large ensemble cast of 13 men and 14 women for this production.
Auditioners must bring sheet music with them and be prepared to sing up to 32 bars, but no more than one minute, of a fully memorized broadway style song that showcases their vocal range and in a style that is consistent with the character you are auditioning for. An accompanist will be provided. A cappella singing or recorded accompaniment will not be allowed.
Auditioners will also be asked to perform a brief dance combination taught at the audition. Some characters will also perform cold readings from the script.
The final rehearsal schedule has not been set yet. Rehearsals will be held four nights per week on Monday thru Thursday – beginning July 15, 2019.
ABOUT THE SHOW
This happy go lucky view of small town vice and statewide political side-stepping recounts the good times and the demise of the Chicken Ranch, known since the 1850s as one of the better pleasure palaces in all of Texas. Governors, senators, mayors, and even victorious college football teams frequent Miss Mona's cozy bordello until that puritan nemesis Watchdog focuses his television cameras and his righteous indignation on the institution.
It is the late 1970s, and a brothel has been operating outside of fictional Gilbert, Texas, for more than a century. It is under the proprietorship of Miss Mona Stangley, who is on good terms with the local sheriff, Ed Earl Dodd. When crusading television reporter, Melvin P. Thorpe, decides to make the illegal activity an issue, political ramifications cause the place to be closed down.
Based on a story by Larry L. King that was inspired by the real-life Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas.
Ages below are suggested character ages
FEMALE ROLES
Miss Mona Stangley (Age: 36--40) Owner and operator of “The Chicken Ranch.” No--nonsense, but also very warm, motherly, energetic and personable. Songs: “A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place,” “Girl You’re a Woman,” “No Lies,” “Bus from Amarillo”
Jewel Mosley (Age: 50--55) African American maid and cook at The Chicken Ranch for more than twenty--five years. She is a true golden girl – sassy, sexy and self--assured. Songs: “Girl You’re a Woman,” “Twenty-four Hours of Lovin’,” “No Lies”
Doatsey Mae Grimes (Age: 40--45) Waitress at the Texas Twinkle Café. She’s a trusting, reliable ear, treated by the men of the town more like a man than a woman. Songs: “Doatsey Mae”
Imogene Charlene Greene* (Age: 20--22) Texas A&M university student, double--majoring in Home Economics and Religion. She’s a big--haired pageant girl and cheerleader. Energetic, but not very bright. Songs: “The Angelette March”
“Angel” – aka, Nancy Jean Drury (Age: 21--24) Former teen mom who left home after giving birth to her son Billy, now six years old, when her father beat her up. She’s tough, scrappy and street--smart. Songs: “Girl You’re a Woman,” “Twenty-Four Hours of Lovin’,” “No Lies,” “Hard Candy Christmas”
“Shy” – aka, Annamerle Seltzer (Age: 17--18) Country, farm girl; young, fresh--faced, sheltered and gawky. Naïve and shy, but headstrong and capable. Songs: “Girl You’re a Woman,” “Twenty-Four Hours of Lovin’,” “No Lies,” “Hard Candy Christmas”
“Linda Lou” (Age: 29--34) Has a “been there, done that” attitude, sarcastic and mouthy. The inappropriate clown of the group. Songs: “A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place,” “Girl You’re a Woman,” “Twenty-Four Hours of Lovin’,” “No Lies,” “Hard Candy Christmas”
“Ginger” (Age: 26--28) Divorcee; nice, welcoming and the most well--adjusted of the “girls.” Redhead. Songs: “A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place,” “Girl You’re a Woman,” “Twenty-Four Hours of Lovin’,” “No Lies,” “Hard Candy Christmas”
“Dawn” (Age: 22--25) A “Rose Nylund” type: innocent, positive, peppy down--home girl--next--door. Songs: “A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place,” “Girl You’re a Woman,” “Twenty-Four Hours of Lovin’,” “No Lies,” “Hard Candy Christmas”
“Ruby Rae” (Age: 25--29) Homely and dim--witted. Tries everything she can think of to improve her stock at the ranch, but always seems to be the last chosen. Not at all negative about it, though. Songs: “A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place,” “Girl You’re a Woman,” “Twenty-Four Hours of Lovin’,” “No Lies,” “Hard Candy Christmas”
“Eloise” * (Age: 25--29) A native New Yorker, named by Mona after the precocious and dramatic six--year old character in some of her favorite children’s books. Songs: “A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place,” “Girl You’re a Woman,” “Twenty-Four Hours of Lovin’,” “No Lies,” “Hard Candy Christmas”
“Beatrice” * (Age: 30--34) The tallest and leanest of the “girls”; royal, regal, prim and proper. Songs: “A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place,” “Girl You’re a Woman,” “Twenty-Four Hours of Lovin’,” “No Lies,” “Hard Candy Christmas”
“Taddy Jo” * (Age: 22--27) Athletic and bird--like, she’s the tomboy of the group. Speaks softly and quickly. Songs: “A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place,” “Girl You’re a Woman,” “Twenty-Four Hours of Lovin’,” “No Lies,” “Hard Candy Christmas”
“Durla” * (Age: 19--21) Economical, chameleon--like and not prone to socializing. Known for turning around clients the quickest. Songs: “A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place,” “Girl You’re a Woman,” “Twenty-Four Hours of Lovin’,” “No Lies,” “Hard Candy Christmas”
MALE ROLES
“Bandleader” – aka, John Fitzgerald Stangley (Age: 40) A good old boy, full of charm and good feeling. He is the narrator of the story. Songs: “Prologue,” “20 Fans”
Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd (Age: 43--48) Sheriff of La Grange, Texas. He’s a down--home, cowboy type, lovingly curmudgeonly more than a little rough around the edges. He’s a “live and let live” type, though, surprisingly liberal in his thinking and his language. Songs: “Good Old Girl”
Melvin P. Thorpe (Age: 50--55) Television personality and part--time revivalist preacher – more huckster than holy. If Rush Limbaugh and Marcus Bachmann created a child, it would be Melvin. He’s brash, bigger than life and a complete blowhard. Obsessed by sanctity and morality in overcompensation for a rather effeminate manner.
Songs: “Watch Dog Theme,” “Texas Has a Whorehouse In It,” “The Sidestep”
Governor Briscoe * (Age: 50--55) A former rancher and businessman from Uvalde, TX; now a first--term Governor in his first year in office. He’s the quintessential politician: Saying a lot of nothing. Amiable and full of charm, he’s dumb about everything but politics. Songs: “The Sidestep”
Edsel Mackey (Age: 28--35) A big city Houston boy who landed his first newspaper job out of high school with the town paper: The Gilbert Gospel. He’s now Editor in Chief and is, without question, the smartest man in town. Witty, dry and shrewd. Think a young MSNBC talking head. Songs: “Texas Has a Whorehouse In It”
Mayor Rufus Poindexter (Age: 45--50) Local automobile dealer and youngest son of the town’s richest and most well-- known family. Like George W. Bush, he was the son least expected to succeed – but now he’s the only one in town, running the dealership and the town. He doesn’t like, and is overwhelmed by, his job and he’s not shy about everyone knowing it. Songs: “Texas Has a Whorehouse In It”
C.J. Scruggs (Age: 40--45) A good, deeply religious insurance salesman. In contrast to his personality, he’s the loudest, worst dresser in town. Songs: “Texas Has a Whorehouse In It”
Senator J.T. Wingwoah (Age: 46) Young, short, Napoleonic good ole boy with the personality of Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones. Songs: “The Sidestep”
“Aggie 1” – aka, Shane Miller * (Age: 19--21) Quarterback of the Texas A&M Aggies. An alpha--male, full of bravado and teeming with star power. Knows how to pour on the charm and used to getting what he wants. Songs: “The Aggie Song,” “Good Old Girl”
“Aggie 2” – aka, Lonnie Johnson * (Age: 19--21) Star running--back of the Texas A&M Aggies. Sensitive to having a “girl’s name,” and always trying to prove his masculinity as a result. Songs: “The Aggie Song,” “Good Old Girl”
“Aggie 3” – Eugene Williams * (Age: 18--20) Freshman benchwarmer for the Texas A&M Aggies. Scrawny and small, but full of enthusiasm and energy. Songs: “The Aggie Song,” “Good Old Girl”
“Aggie 4” – Clifford Becker * (Age: 21--25) Third--year senior at Texas A&M and defensive end for the Aggies. Dumb as a box of rocks. Loud and big. Songs: “The Aggie Song,” “Good Old Girl”
“Scandinavian Place Kicker” – Alvar Askelson * (Age: 21--25) International recruit and place kicker for the Texas A&M Aggies. Has male--model looks, and a sweet, confused disposition. Speaks with a very thick Scandinavian accent. Songs: “The Aggie Song,” “Good Old Girl”
ENSEMBLE ROLES
Girl 1
Farmer
Announcer
Dogettes (TV girls)
Cameraman
TV Colorman
Reporter 1