THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS is based on the true story of a legendary
Texas brothel known as the Chicken Ranch which operated from the 1840s to 1973
when it was finally shut down by the efforts of a crusading Houston radio
commentator and his conservative audience.
The musical begins during the last days of the Chicken Ranch (which earned its
name because, during the depression, customers were allowed to pay with
poultry!) Melvin P. Thorpe, a television broadcaster eager for the spotlight,
has just scored a career triumph by exposing a peanut bar for not having as many
peanuts as advertised. And now he turns his attention to what is potentially a
much bigger triumph--this appalling thing he calls "loveless copulation" at the
Chicken Ranch. Although many of the state's politicians have, in fact, been
customers of the brothel, they are eager to preserve their political careers and
thus choose to publically denounce the Chicken Ranch and its inhabitants.
Finally, in spite of the protection of the local sheriff, Miss Mona, the
proprietor of the Chicken Ranch, is thrown out onto the street along with all of
her girls, even as Melvin P. Thorpe receives a commendation from the Governor
for his services to the state of Texas.
