The Chicken Ranch, also known as “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” will open for business on Saturday night in the Baton Rouge River Center and promises to provide “lots of innocent, good fun.”
The Broadway musical premiered in New York in 1977, and won two Tony Awards during its run before closing in 1982.
“The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” is now on a six-month tour that will end March 13 in Los Angeles.
Kidie Thornton, the marketing manager for the BRRC, said due to the nature of the show, which features the story about a brothel in Depression-era Texas, the BRRC was careful not to offend anyone.
“We approached it not as naughty, but as innocent fun,” Thornton said. “The story has heart to it. These were good, caring people who basically had a job to do.”
Thornton said even with the naughtiness considered, tickets have been selling well, with only 100-200 tickets left for Saturday night.
Thornton also takes into account the time period of the musical and the different mindset of the population.
“At that time, this happened,” Thornton said. “It may not have been discussed, but it happened.”
Thornton does admit the show is not meant for children because it is “adult oriented.”
The musical was also made into a movie starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds, but according to Gary Zabinski, the director of operations for Jam Theatricals, the group who is helping with marketing and public relations for the show, the movie was a “watered-down” version of the musical.
Zabinski said the movie revolved more around the main characters of Parton and Reynolds, where as the musical is more of an ensemble piece.
“People will find the stage version will differ considerably from the movie,” Zabinski said.
Zabinski said almost half of ticket revenue comes from box office sales, split with season ticket holders.
“The show does very well, especially in the South,” Zabinski said.
Joe Emeis, the company manager for “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” said that even though past tours of the show have not done well, this tour, which started in September, has been different.
“The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” opens on Saturday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the BRRC.
‘Best Little Whorehouse’ comes to BR River Center
February 17, 2005