Hello! I hope you enjoyed our piddly-squattin' production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas!
This is just a itty bitty pissant note to let you know that if you cannot find information you want on here, or would like something explained a little more, please comment and let me know. I'll do my best to add it. Ya'll come back now, ya hear?

Howdy, ya'll! This is Melanie Grace Guthrey, dramaturg for Emerson College's Emerson Stage production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. I will be providing instant access to information on all things "TBLWIT".

Please feel free comment on the appropriate entry with any suggestions or comments you have. There will be an entry for each dramaturgical element of the show (i.e. The Chicken Ranch, Marvin Zindler, the cast, et cetera), easily searchable by Tags and Categories).
For future reference, elocutionary posts like this will be tagged as "Letter".
This post will be found under the Categories Letters and Our Production.

You can also download and print your own copy of the Actor's Packet by clicking the link:
Actor's Packet.doc

Or download your own PowerPoint slideshow (as seen in the Majestic Lobby) by clicking this link:  The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.ppt

Have a nice time here and be sure to enjoy the show!

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

Book by Larry L. King & Peter Masterson Music by Carol Hall Director: Stephen Terrell Cutler Majestic Theatre Thursday, April 23 8pm Friday, April 24 8pm Saturday, April 25 2pm (talk back) Saturday, April 25 8pm Set in a small Texas town, the show follows the trials of the Chicken Ranch, a brothel targeted by an enterprising news reporter as a den of sin and "carnal lust". With a dynamic country score and heel-kicking choreography, this show will be directed by Stephen Terrell and play the Cutler Majestic Theatre April 23-25, 2009. BUY TICKETS NOW!

Production Team

Director		Stephen Terrell
Musical Director		Todd Gordon
Choreographer		Stephen Terrell
Set Designer		Kathryn Kawecki
Costume Designer		Tiana Brinton
Lighting Designer		Phil Galler
Sound Designer		Adam Howarth
Stage Manager		Davin DeSantis
Company Manager		J'aimie Graham
Assistant Director		Brian Dann
Dramaturg		Melanie Guthrey

Gilbert > LaGrange
Lanvil county > Fayette County

Miss Wulla Jean > Miss Jessie
Mona Stangely > Edna Milton
Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd > Sheriff T.J. Fournoy
Melvin P. Thorpe > Marvin Zindler

If you have an interest in reading and seeing things for yourself, this is the place to be!
While there are links scattered throughout the other blog posts, these here directly relate to wanting to read about "the best little whorehouse in Texas" for yourself.

Go on! Decide for yourself what happened way back in 1973!

Texas Monthly, October 1973. "Closing down LaGrange"
     This article is sentimental, but even-sided about the conflict between the town and Zindler. Good reference for local's comments on the events as well as cool photos.

Time Magazine, August 27, 1973. "House on the Range" Here.

This concise article has a great amount of information and quotes from locals/customers. Sensible and similar to what other Americans would have seen.

Palo Alto College's Small Town Archive Project's page on LaGrange
     Beautiful pictures of the city as well as several local anecdotes, including the Chicken Ranch story.

ABC-13 Eyewitness News, Sept 6, 2005, "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas"
Article by Marvin Zindler looking back at the events that transpired 25 years ago.
     Very interesting and full account of the story from his side, having no interest in the proceedings for the brothel. Specifically recounts all the input that the Texas State government had in the events.

The Handbook of Texas Online, article on the Chicken Ranch
     Summation of Chicken Ranch history up to and after its closing. Pulls largely from Jan Hutson's book on the brothel. The typical story used.

Review and Trailer of the 1983 documentary "The Chicken Ranch" by Nick Bromfield about the Nevadan brothel of the same name (the owners bought the rights).
     This is interesting because it features the attitudes of the working girls about their jobs in an era close to 1973.

YouTube playlist of Marvin Zindler: A Final Farewell, as broadcast on ABS-13 Eyewitness News.
     Part 4 contains information and footage! of  the Chicken Ranch, Flournoy, and Edna.
     Parts 2 and 7 are recommended as well. All parts are under 5 minutes in length.
    This commercial is worth checking out as well.

"As the props master my job is to work with the director and set designer to actualize their vision, its about problem solving and making finishing touches on the world they have created.  My assistants and I started with a meeting with Stephen Terrel a few months ago and have been developing these props since.  This show has been an interesting journey as it is my first time propping a large musical, I learned quickly that there is 18 of everything."