Arts & Entertainment
Center Stage Plans Auditions for 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas'
Musical comes to Southampton in October.
Center Stage at Southampton Cultural Center is planning a three-week run of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" beginning in October, and auditions are slated for later this month.
Open auditions will be Aug. 26 and Aug. 27, beginning at 6 p.m. both days, at the Cultural Center on Pond Lane in Southampton Village.
By Larry L. King and Peter Masterson with music and lyrics by Carol Hall, the 1978 Broadway musical is inspired by a real-life brothel known as Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas. The story is about what happens when a television reporter begins to put the brothel's activities in the news. The 1982 film adaptation starred Dolly Parton as the brothel owner, Burt Reynolds as the sheriff, Jim Nabors at the deputy and Dom DeLuise as the reporter.
Audition will require 16 to 24 measures of an upbeat pop song or country ballad, and actors are advised to wear comfortable clothing for a movement portion of the audition. There will also be script readings.
• Mona Stangley, 40s, Chicken Ranch madam, mezzo
• Jewel, 30s/40s, Mona's right hand, big mezzo belt
• Ed Earl Dodd, 40s/50s, crusty sheriff, light singing, baritone
• Melvin P. Thorpe, 40s/50s, television crusader, light singing
• Doatsey Mae, 30s, waitress, mezzo soprano
• Governor of Texas, 50s, spirited singer, character acting skills
• Mona's Girls: Amber, Shy, Linda Lou, Taddy Jo, Ruby Rae, Beatrice, Durla, Eloise, Dawn and Ginger - differing ages, weights, sizes, vocal types and looks. Individuality is paramount.
• The Texas Aggies: Six younger men to execute The Aggie Song. Differing ages and types. Some rhythm required. Testosterone a must.
• Assorted chorus members to cover all other roles. With the exception of Mona, Jewel and Ed Earl, all cast members will cover two to four roles.
The show will run between Oct. 17. and Nov. 3. Center Stage creative director Michael Disher directs and Karen Hochstedler is the musical director. For more information, email mbentondisher@gmail.com.
