A Hard Candy Christmas

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

 “Texas Has a Whorehouse In It, Lord have mercy on my soul!” Don’t try to get that catchy refrain out of your head after leaving this raucous, rousing country/western musical. It’s impossible to forget, much like Theo Ubique Theatre’s entire wonderful, effervescent, toe-tapping production. It’s simply delectable! The show is full of rowdy, provocative homespun humor, some haunting, heartbreaking ballads and several songs that inspire the audience to clap along. It also sports some bodacious, bawdy characters and lots of standout performances. All of this adds up to a grand evening of good, adult fun.

The musical is based upon a Playboy article about the Chicken Ranch, a real-life Texas brothel that dated back to the 1800’s. The house of ill repute got its name because, during the Great Depression, they’d often accept poultry in exchange for sexual pleasures. During the 1970’s the “ladies,” under the watchful and caring eye of Miss Mona Stangley, the outspoken madam the Chicken Ranch, often treated their “guests” to theme-oriented evenings filled with wholesome entertainment and intimate companionship. All goes well until Melvin P. Thorpe, an enthusiastic do-gooder television evangelist, decides to expose the “moral degradation” allowed to exist under Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd’s blind eye. Suddenly the scandal and political ramifications affect everyone, from the Governor of the Lone Star State down to the victorious Texas Aggie football team.

Texan author Larry L. King partnered with actor Pete Masterson to write the script for this musical. The pair teamed with fellow Texas composer, Carol Hall, who wrote the infectious 

Country/Western-inspired score. After a two-month run Off-Broadway, this joyful musical reopened on Broadway in the summer of 1978. Masterson co-directed the production with famed director/choreographer, TommyTune, and choreographer Thommie Walsh. It ran successfully for two years, followed by a couple of successful National Tours and several international productions. Unfortunately, this all-but-forgotten show hasn’t been produced in the Chicago area for several decades, but Fred Anzevino’s award-winning Theatre is finally rectifying this mistake.

At Theo Ubique, brilliant guest director Landree Fleming has kept the tempo tip-top and coaxed honest, truthful portrayals from each of her actors. Working closely with her clever choreographer Jenna Schoppe, as well as her talented musical director, Isabella Isherwood (who also conducts a brilliant 5-member band and also plays keyboard), this all-female team have united to infuse the 44-year-old Tony winning musical with some new, contemporary, twenty-first century high-voltage energy and knee-slapping, foot-stomping country charm. Ms Isherwood’s musical combo, sitting off to the side, but in full view of the audience, lends an authentic twangy Texan sound to the score. Scenic designer Manuel Ortiz provides just enough of a setting to suggest the Chicken Ranch, along with every other locale. Costumer Gregory Graham has met the challenge and bedazzled the 15-member company with more wigs, silks and lace than Fredericks of Hollywood.

Ms Fleming’s cast is uniformly excellent. The company’s led by powerhouse Anne Sheridan Smith’s gutsy and powerful portrayal of Miss Mona, along with Marc Prince’s blustery, but truly likable, Sheriff Ed Earl. Both actors never give in to the temptation of playing caricatures. Instead, these two fine actors always deliver flesh and blood performances of people who honestly care about each other. As a result, the audience cares about them. Each has his or her own comic moments, but it’s the mellow, heartfelt musical performances that make us love these two characters the most. Ms Smith’s beautiful “Girl, You’re a Woman,” her “No Lies” and her poignant “The Bus From Amarillo,” along with Mr. Prince’s touching “Good Old Girl,” make their performances extra special. 

Fans of Black Ensemble Theater certainly know the brashly talented Cynthia F. Carter. As always, this superior actor/singer almost steals the show as Miss Jewel, the Chicken Ranch’s second in command. She absolutely brings the house down with her sexy “Twenty-four Hours of Lovin.” An extraordinary actor, Michaela A. Shapiro is fresh and fantastic as Shy, the innocent, young girl who’s fled an abusive home life to become one of Miss Mona’s girls. The actor conveys absolute honesty in every scene. They are equally excellent playing one of the aggressive  Aggies, as well, because Michaela happens to also be a superb dancer (“The Aggie Song”).

In a truly brilliant bit of creative casting, Teddy Gales brings his versatility and gift for broad comedy to his portrayal of three different political figures. He plays the grinning, sidestepping Texan Governor, the Mayor of the fictional Gilbert, Texas, and a smarmy Senator who gets his hands caught in the cookie jar, so to speak. Hilarious David Blakeman is an obnoxious crusader for good, as Watch Dog Melvin P. Thorpe. The actor’s perfection, down to his growl, in this over-the-top role. And lovely Halle Bins makes a spirited, but wistful waitress, as Doatsy Mae. Ms Bins also transforms into one of the Chicken Ranch workers, in the blink of an eye.

Every accolade available has to be heaped upon this incredibly versatile ensemble, as well. Their individual and collective song-and-dance abilities, especially when switching from Miss Mona’s Ladies to Chicken Ranch customers, from cheerleaders and townspeople to the Texas Aggies, is phenomenal. In addition to those already mentioned, the gifted company features the talents of Kaitlin Feely, Chamaya Moody, Laura Quinones, Quinn Simmons, Brandon Acosta, Bruce Holtman and the handsome, hardworking and multitalented Michael Penick. 

At this time of the year, when folks are looking for holiday entertainment that offers something different and unique, you couldn’t find a finer show than this folksy, friendly “Hard Candy Christmas” treat. As one of the songs goes, it may be a “Little, Old Bitty Pissant Country Place,” but in Landree Fleming’s exciting, homey hit production, this is one laughable, lusty adult musical comedy that absolutely bursts with heart.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented December 2-January 29 by Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, 721 Howard Street, Evanston, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 800-595-4849 or by going to www.Theo-u.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.