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Regional Reviews: Florida - West Coast Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Also see Bill's reviews of The Addams Family and Little Shop of Horrors
One of the benefits of a strong community theater circuit is that it affords audiences a chance to see a wide variety of musicals. This one, with music and lyrics by Carol Hall and book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson, was a big hit in 1978, winning several Tony Awards and running for 1584 performances. It was a blockbuster movie starring a perfectly cast Dolly Parton in 1982. I prefer the stage version because the movie left out several character songs, such as "Girl, You're a Woman" and "Doatsey Mae" that add emotional depth. Also "Hard Candy Christmas" was given to Parton as Miss Mona instead of the girls, greatly lessening its impact. Michele M. Spears is giving a strong performance as Miss Mona, especially vocally. As madam of The Chicken Ranch and mother figure to her girls, she provides the strong emotional center. Rodd Dyer scores as Watchdog Melvin P. Thorpe, wearing the ugliest hairpiece I have seen in a long time. Adam Baker, who played with Mr. Dyer last year in Pump Boys and Dinettes, plays Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd well, a man out of his league when real trouble comes calling. Rachel Knowles as Angel and Eliza Lipton as Shy offer good support as does Sarah Cassidy in several roles including Doatsey Mae. Noah Chinault, Brian Strubbe, Richard Pullen, Joshua Lauerre, Tahj Porter, C. J. Haynes and Daniel Ebury make the dancing in "The Aggie Song" a highlight. Artistic Director Rick Kerby has come full circle directing this show. In the director's notes he tells us, "I also spent two years of my life on a bus traveling the country in the national touring company as one of the singing/dancing cowboys." His experience shows: as choreographer he remembers what the original production looked like and knew how to simplify it for the abilities of his cast. Unfortunately, at least at th performance I attended, energy levels were not always up where they needed to be. "A Lil Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place" was nicely in focus but the first Watch Dog scene, which includes "Texas Has a Whorehouse in It," didn't maintain the zing it needed. Music direction by Teresa O'Connell is lively, assisted by Jason Miller at 2nd keyboard, Danny Blankenship on fiddle, Skip Ellis on pedal steel guitar and Tony Bruno on percussion. Costumes by Becky Evans, sets by Bill Booth, and lighting by Joseph P. Oshry all are assets to this production. Manatee Player's Best Little Whorehouse in Texas makes for a good night's entertainment. Manatee Players presents Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at Manatee Center for the Performing Arts through November 9, 2014, at 502 3rd Ave W., Bradenton; 941 748-0111, manateeplayers.com. Cast: Directed and Choreographed by Rick Kerby
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