AUDITION NOTICE
Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Audition Dates: Online Submissions are open now through Friday, January 11
Open Call at the theater
Saturday, January 4 from 11am-3pm
and Sunday, January 5 from 11am -1pm
Based on a true story, this thigh slapping, good natured little musical tells of a brothel off a little dirt road near Austin that splashed small town Texas onto the front page of every newspaper, and eventually onto a Broadway stage in the 1970s.
The brothel in question was called the Chicken Ranch because the good ol’ boys who couldn’t pay real money settled their accounts with chickens. Current owner and kind-hearted madam, Miss Mona, runs the ranch, pays her taxes, and otherwise minds her business. She takes care of her girls, is on good terms with local sheriff Ed Earl Dodd, and is well-respected throughout the community until a cornball TV personality from Houston starts barking at her heels, causing such a ruckus that the local politicos, most of whom were regular customers, forced the Sheriff to close the place.
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas explores themes of morality, freedom, and the clash between conservative values, the right to privacy, and personal choice.
Self Tape Auditions
Accepting submissions December 15 - January 11
Submit a recording including a slate with name, height, and where you live, plus 32 bars of a
Musical Theater song and one minute of a country music song.
To submit your audition, go to this website Self-Tape Audition Form and complete the form.
Open Auditions
For those unable to submit a self-taped audition, open auditions will be held
Saturday, January 4, 2025 from 11:00am to 3:00pm
and Sunday, January 5 from 11am -1pm
Bring a headshot, resume and come prepared with two 16 - 32 bars of a
Musical Theater song and one minute of a country music song.
An accompanist will be provided.
No appointment is necessary.
If doing an Online Submission, you DO NOT need to attend the In-Person open call.
Callbacks
By invitation only and will be announced after auditions.
You will be notified by email if you are asked to callbacks, which will take place at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre.
The Morgan-Wixson Theatre
Non-equity only.
The Morgan-Wixson Theatre is a volunteer-run community theatre,
and thanks the actors for their participation with a gratuity stipend.
Auditions, rehearsals and performances will take place at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre
located at 2627 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Parking
Street parking available.
Parking is also available to the Venice Family Clinic’s parking lot on weekends and on weekdays after 6 p.m.
Do not park at our neighbors AAMCO/Viking Motors or SGI, you will be towed.
For questions, please contact us at bestlittlewhorehouse@morgan-wixson.org
Rehearsals begin on/around Tuesday, January 20th.
Rehearsals will primarily be Mon-Thu from 7pm-10:30pm, Sundays 6pm-10pm,
with some Saturday daytimes in February, as needed.
Not everyone will be called for every rehearsal.
Performances are scheduled to commence Saturday, March 8th, 2025 and conclude Sunday, April 6, 2024. Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Additional performances may be added depending on cast/venue availability and ticket sales.
All performers must be fully vaccinated with the latest booster, and show proof of vaccination.
Masks are now optional, and we ask you to respect each other,
whether those around you choose to wear a mask or not.
Our policy will change and adapt as necessary.
Kristie Mattsson Director
Niko Montelibano Choreographer/Producer
Rachel Alvarez Production Stage Manager
Ariella Salinas Fiore Intimacy Director/Co-Producer
Music and Lyrics by Caroll Hall
Book by Dean Pitchford
Music by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson
Based on a story by Larry L. King
For questions, please contact us at bestlittlewhorehouse@morgan-wxison.org
In reference to the character descriptions that follow—most characters we encounter currently are on the gender binary and are written with he/him or she/her pronouns and you will see that in the following descriptions. But, however limiting the descriptions are, our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible and we invite gender non-conforming, gender-fluid, transgender and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with.
We will also list race/ethnicity when specific to the character but are otherwise seeking all races and ethnicities; we encourage Arab, Asian, Black, Caucasian, Latino, Native, and Multiracial actors to audition for all roles. In addition, we will list disability when specific to a character, but are otherwise seeking actors with disabilities as well as non-disabled actors for all roles. Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or if there are any accommodations we can provide.
We are actively committed to casting an inclusive show that reflects the community.
Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or if there are any accommodations we can provide.
CHARACTERS
MANY NAMED/FEATURED ROLES WILL DOUBLE INTO ENSEMBLE TRACKS.
Miss Mona Stangley: 35-45 - Charismatic, classy, and energetic. Owner and operator of ‘The Chicken Ranch’, a well-established brothel in small-town Texas. No nonsense, and a fierce business woman, she is protective of her Girls. Has a close relationship, and deep affection for Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd.
Jewel Mosley: (Black) Mezzo, 35-55 - Confidante and dear friend to Miss Mona, she’s been the housekeeper and cook at The Chicken Ranch for more than twenty five years. Wise, fun-loving, a strong source of support for Miss Mona and held in high esteem by the girls. Sassy, sexy, self-assured.
Doatsey Mae Grimes: Alto, 35-55 - Waitress at the Texas Twinkle Café. She’s a trusting, reliable ear, treated by the men as just one of the boys but secretly longs to be bold enough to live a life more risqué.
MISS MONA’S GIRLS: Various Ages 18-50 - Various Vocals and body types
Looking for a diverse group. ALL must sing, dance & act.
“Angel” aka Nancy Jean Drury: Young mother to a six year old boy, she left her home in the big city when her father started beating her up. She’s worked the streets under many, many names. She’s tough, uncensored, and scrappy.
“Shy” aka, Annamerle Seltzer: Country, farm girl; fresh faced, sheltered and gawky. Naïve and young, but capable and learns quickly.
Linda Lou: Has a “been there, done that” attitude, sarcastic and mouthy.The inappropriate clown of the group.
Ginger: Divorcee, nice, welcoming and well adjusted. Gets her name from her red hair.
Dawn: Innocent, positive, peppy down home girl next door.
Ruby Rae: Awkward. 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.
Eloise: A native New Yorker, named by Mona after the precocious and dramatic six year old character in some of her favorite children’s books.
Beatrice: Royal, regal, prim and proper- the tallest of the “girls.”
Taddy Jo: Athletic, direct and grounded- called the tomboy of the group.
Durla: Economical, chameleon-like and not prone to socializing. Known for turning around clients the quickest.
Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd: Baritone, 35-45 - Sheriff of La Grange,Texas.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 ideas and his language.
Melvin P. Thorpe: Baritone, 40-55 - Television personality and part-time revivalist preacher. He’s brash, bigger than life and a complete blowhard.
Governor Briscoe: Baritone, 45-65 - A former rancher and businessman from Uvalde, TX now a first term Governor in his first year in office. He’s the quintessential politician: Says a whole lot of nothing.
Edsel Mackey: 30-55 - A big city Houston boy who landed his first newspaper job straight out of high school. He’s now Editor in Chief of the local newspaper and is, without question, the smartest man in town. Witty, dry and shrewd.
Mayor Rufus Poindexter: 35-65 - Local automobile dealer and youngest son of the town’s richest and most well known family. He is overwhelmed by his job, and incompetent.
C.J. Scruggs: 35-65 - A good, deeply religious insurance salesman. In contrast to his personality, he’s the loudest, worst dresser in town.
Senator JT Wingwoah: Baritone, 35 – 65 - A classic Texan politician - booted, suited and a good ole boy whose time-honored Texas traditions include taking the Aggies football team to The Chicken Ranch to get laid after they win their big game.
SINGING & DANCING MIXED ENSEMBLE TO PLAY:
THE DOGGETTES
MELVIN P. THORPE’S FEATURED SINGERS
TV ANNOUNCER/S
SOUNDMAN, STAGE MANAGER, CAMERAMAN
SINGING QUARTET OF COWBOYS
REPORTERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
TOWNSPEOPLE & POLITICAL AIDES
FARMERS, & MISC. PATRONS OF THE RANCH
AGGIE ANGEL CHEERLEADER SQUAD INCLUDING:
Imogene Charlene Greene: Texas A&M university student, double majoring in Home Economics and Religion. She’s a proud pageant girl and an excellent cheerleader.
AGGIES (TX COLLEGIATE FOOTBALL PLAYERS INCLUDING:
Shane Miller: Quarterback of the Texas A&M Aggies. Full of bravado and star power.
Lonnie Johnson: Star running back of the Texas A&M Aggies. Always trying to prove his masculinity.
Eugene Williams: Freshman benchwarmer for the Texas A&M Aggies. Scrawny and small, but full of enthusiasm.
Clifford Becker: Third year senior at Texas A&M and defensive end for the Aggies. Loud and big.
“Scandinavian Place Kicker” Alvar Askelson: International recruit and place kicker for the Texas A&M Aggies. Has a sweet, confused disposition. Speaks with a very thick Scandinavian accent.