Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth, who took part in a June 29 New York reading of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, told the Hollywood Reporter that producers are hoping to revive the 1978 musical on Broadway.
Producers Jeffrey Richards and Will Trice presented the private industry reading of the Larry L. King, Peter Masterson and Carol Hall musical, which was directed by Rob Ashford. Wicked star Chenoweth took on the starring role of Miss Mona Stangley, the character immortalized on screen by Dolly Parton.
She told the magazine, “I did a reading of Best Little Whorehouse with my director for Promises. I love just singing that score that Carol Hall wrote. And Jennifer Holliday was a part of that and kicks butt. Just watching her do her thing I cried. I was just happy we got to kind of see if it has a life.“ She added, “I think there is financing in place and I think it has to be a decision we can make and I have another show that I’m involved with about Tammy Faye Bakker. It’s all about timing.”
Richards previously announced plans to bring Best Little Whorehouse back to Broadway in 2015, but the production never materialized. Rob Ashford, who was announced to direct and choreograph the Broadway revival, was at the helm of this latest reading.
No Broadway dates or casting were reported.
Chenoweth recently announced that she is playing Velma Von Tussle in NBC's upcoming Hairspray Live! broadcast.
Joining Chenoweth in the New York reading were Kevin McKidd as Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd, Tony winner Jennifer Holliday as Jewel, Christopher Sieber as Melvin P. Thorpe, James Naughton as the Governor, Kerry Butler as Doatsey Mae, Jim Newman as the Band Leader, Helene Yorke as Angel, Madeline Brewer as Shy, Bob Gaynor as Edsel Mackey/Dogette, Greg Hildreth as Mayor Rufus Poindexter/Dogette, Darius Nichols as C.J. Scruggs/Dogette, Ryan Andes as Reporter/Dogette and Peter Benson as Senator Wingwoah.
The Aggies were played by Jared Dixon, Aaron Finley, Anthony Sagaria, Sam Simahk and Alex Michael Stoll.
Miss Mona’s girls included Krystal Joy Brown as Linda Lou, Kate Marilley as Ginger, Morgan Weed as Beatrice, Erica Sweany as Taddy Jo, Anne Horak as Eloise, Ashley Park as Dawn, Anna Eilinsfeld as Durla and Syndee Winters as Ruby Rae.
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, press notes state, “recounts the good times and the demise of the Chicken Ranch, known since the 1850s as one of the best pleasure palaces in all of Texas. Governors, senators, mayors, and even victorious college football teams frequent Miss Mona's cozy bordello… that is until the crusading television reporter Melvin P. Thorpe focuses his cameras and his righteous indignation on the institution.”
