Women’s stories in the brothel

Updated 3:29 p.m. March 16, 2020 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all university-related events will be canceled until further notice, including all Western Athletic Conference games, according to an email sent from the Office of the President last Thursday.

Those curious about the story of the “Chicken Ranch” in La Grange, Texas, can learn more with country music, singing and dancing, sexuality, and a heartfelt message in a UTRGV comedy musical.

The UTRGV Department of Theatre brings the university a new production directed by Lecturer Richard Edmonson.

“The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre in Liberal Arts Building South on the Edinburg campus.

Asked about the theme of the musical, Edmonson replied, “There are lots of themes. In particular, the stage version of the show really highlights the women’s stories. So there’s strength and determination. We see, throughout the play, their dreams that they have, their need of belonging somewhere. … And then, of course, this whole idea of what is true and what isn’t true.”

“The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” by playwright Larry L. King and actor and writer Peter Masterson, was first performed July 19, 1978, on Broadway, according to broadwaymusicalhome.com. The music and lyrics were written by composer and lyricist Carol Hall.

The “Chicken Ranch” was perhaps the oldest continuously running brothel in the nation until mid-1973, when Houston KTRK-TV reporter Marvin Zindler exposed it. The ranch closed after the exposé on Aug. 1, 1973, and the women left, according to the Handbook of Texas Online.

The cast is made up of 30 members.

Emily Villarreal, South Texas College communications sophomore, plays the role of Miss Mona Stangley, the woman who runs the brothel on the “Chicken Ranch.”

“She’s a very independent woman who doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer and she’s very loving,” Villarreal said. “She’s hard on the outside, she has a very hard shell. …. Overall, she’s very passionate about her girls, and she is just a very, very strong woman.”

A live band of UTRGV students will play and sing along during the show. UTRGV alumna Gina Rodriguez is the play’s music director and theatre senior Iliana Cantu is the choreographer for the production.

The UTRGV production had three performances the weekend of Feb. 28. The performances drew 645 attendees.

Sebastian Bartolomeo, a communication studies junior, said he went to see the musical to support his friends who perform in it.

“I thought it was very fun and very enjoyable,” Bartolomeo said. “I really liked the songs. Andy Garcia did a great job as ‘the Sheriff.’”

He said he encourages everyone to see the musical and acknowledge the Theatre Department’s effort on this production.

General admission is $15, $10 for senior citizens and military, and $5 for UTRGV students and faculty with a valid ID.

Tickets may be purchased online at utrgv.edu/theatre-tickets.

Adult themes and language are included in the musical. Children 10 years and younger will not be admitted.