Broadway Musical Home

Based on a story by Larry L. King that was inspired by the real-life Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas.

Story:

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.

: Composer and Lyricist
Carol Hall

: Librettist
Larry L. King

: Librettist
Peter Masterson

Broadway Premiere

Theatre: 46th Street Theatre

Opening Night: July 19, 1978

Total Performances: 1,584

Original Cast: Henderson Forsythe, Carlin Glynn, Delores Hall, Clinton Allmon, Pamela Blair, Lisa Brown, Don Crabtree, Joan Ellis, Jay Garner, J. Frank Lucas, Susan Mansur, Louise Quick-Bowen, Gerry Burkhardt, Jay Bursky, Tom Cashin, Carol Chambers, Becky Gelke, K. C. Kelly, Bradley Clayton King, Donna King, Linda Lou, Larry L. King, Edwina Lewis, Jan Merchant, Melvin Thorpe, Edna Milton, Gena Ramsel, James Rich, Marta Sanders, Michael Scott, Monica Tiller , Paul Ukena, Jr., Jerry Yoder, Debra Zalkind

Director: Peter Masterson and Tommy Tune

Choreographer: Tommy Tune

Producer: Universal Pictures

Musical Director: Robert Billig

Scenic Design: Marjorie Kellogg

Costume Design: Ann Roth

Lighting Design: Dennis Parichy

1982 Broadway Revival

Theatre: Eugene O'Neill Theatre

Opening Night: May 31, 1982

Total Performances: 63

Original Cast: Carlin Glynn, Delores Hall, Gil Rogers, Eric Aaron, Beau Allen, Clinton Allmon, Joel Anderson, Roger Berdahl, Don Bernhardt, Mimi Bessette, Valerie Leigh Bixler, Michael Boyd, Diana Broderick, Melvin Thorpe, Tom Cashin, Craig Chambers, Patti D'Beck, George Dvorsky, Cheryl Ebarb, Clare Fields, Susann Fletcher, Becky Gelke, Ruth Gottschall, Patrick Hamilton, Marilyn J. Johnson, Larry L. King, J. Frank Lucas, Roxie Lucas, Merilee Magnuson, Robert Moyer, Andy Parker, Louise Quick, Karen Sutherland

Director: Peter Masterson and Tommy Tune

Choreographer: Tommy Tune

Producer: Stevie Phillips

Scenic Design: Marjorie Kellogg

Costume Design: Ann Roth

Lighting Design: Dennis Parichy

1982 Film Version

Movie Name: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

Type: Hollywood Musical

Director: Colin Higgins

Screenplay: Larry L. King, Peter Masterson and Colin Higgins

Starring: Burt Reynolds, Dolly Parton, Dom DeLuise, Charles Durning, Jim Nabors, Robert Mandan, Lois Nettleton, Theresa Merritt, Noah Beery Jr., Raleigh Bond , Barry Corbin, Ken Magee, Mary Jo Catlett, Mary Louise Wilson

Musical Numbers

Prologue

20 Fans

A Lil Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place

Girl You're a Woman

Watch Dog

Texas Has a Whorehouse in It

Twenty-Four House of Lovin'

Doatsey Mae

Angelette March

The Aggie Song

Bus from Amarillo

The Sidestep

No Lies

Good Old Girl

Hard Candy Christmas

Click on a song name to listen/purchase it on

CDs

: Original Broadway Cast Album

: 2001 National Tour Cast Recording

: Motion Picture Soundtrack

Sheetmusic

: Vocal Selections

Videos

: Original Hollywood Version DVD

Books

: The Chicken Ranch: The True Story of the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas by Jan Hutson

Other

1979 Tony Award Nominations

Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Henderson Forsythe
winner 1979 Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Carlin Glynn
Best Musical
Best Book of a Musical
Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Joan Ellis
Best Choreography
Best Direction of a Musical
Best Direction of a Musical

1978 Drama Desk Award Nominations

Outstanding Director of a Musical
Outstanding Lyrics
Outstanding Music
Outstanding Musical
Outstanding Actor in a Musical - Henderson Forsythe
Outstanding Actress in a Musical - Carlin Glynn
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical - Pamela Blair
Outstanding Choreography