Skip to main content
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Home For You Chat My Shows Register/Login Games Grosses

Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

New Post Search Report Abuse Rules

Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.

#1

Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 2/26/08 at 3:54pm

Did anyone catch Ann-Margret's understudy in the national tour of Best Little Whorehouse in Texas a few years back? She missed all but one or two performances in Dallas, and I was lucky (or unlucky depending) enough to actually see AM. Who was the understudy? What was she like?
http://www.youtube.com/huskcharmer
#4

re: Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:13pm

I believe her understudy was the woman who played Doatsy Mae, but the actress's name escapes me.

No, she wasn't great, I rather enjoyed seeing Miss A-M in this show ... star presence and a Bob Mackie costumes to boot!
#5

re: Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:14pm

Well, though Ann-Margret has performed 'on stage' countless times (in Vegas, Radio City Music Hall, on tour, etc.), she's never performed in a play in her life. The revival tour of THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS was her stage acting debut.

#6

re: Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:14pm

She had sustained an injury to her wrist when I saw her, so bless her for going on with the show, but the only presence I felt from the second row was the presence of vicodin.
#9

re: Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:45pm

Cats, I'm sure it had to do with her injury, because I know she's been on a stag before. It was just really bad. She flubbed lyrics, looking to others to feed her her lines, and basically wandered around like a zombie with weird half-grin at all times.
#10

re: Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:52pm

I like the new song, but I really want them to reverse it and "Bus From Amarillo"'s position. BFA works better at the end, and "Friend to Me" fits the Act I context better.

I was *not* terribly impressed with her vocally though.
http://www.youtube.com/huskcharmer
#11

re: Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:57pm

She gave a more than acceptable performance the night I saw her in Indianapolis.
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter
#12

re: Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 2/26/08 at 8:21pm

I didnt like her in birdie
I marginally enjoyed her in newsies

I never saw this sadly
Join me on journey that is the development of my first musical! Twitter/Insta @gimpymusical FB: Gimpy The Musical email @gimpymusical@gmail.com for more info!
#14

re: Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 2/26/08 at 9:27pm

I happened to attend her June 16, 2001 perf of "Whorehouse" in San Antonio. (I referred to my Wall of Theatre ticket stubs for the info.) As I remember it, I went to go see it only because of Ann-Margret. It was an o.k. show. I wanted to see AM on the stage, having remembered her from those television specials of the 70's and some of her miniseries work. from RC in Austin, Texas
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#15

re: Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 2/26/08 at 10:46pm

I went with my high school theatre group. I don't really remember much, other than not being impressed and wondering why they didn't have "I Will Always Love You" at the end. (Granted I was 14 at the time...)
http://www.youtube.com/huskcharmer
#17

re: Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 2/27/08 at 10:23am

Unfortunately, I saw Ann Margret in the tour. She was the only cast member using one of those concert mikes, so you got the impression that Miss Mona was inexplicably always on a phone call. And she never opened her mouth more than about a quarter of an inch. Her speech was slurred and by the end of the second act, she was a bit wobbly on the set.

I wish I had seen Roxie Lucas as Mona. Her Doatsy Mae was the best thing about the production.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#18

re: Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 2/27/08 at 11:30am

Roxie was great, and Rob Donohoe's MELVIN P THORPE was fantastic, too! I thought Gary Sandy was not bad considering he had to act opposite a beaded piñata full of vikodin.

I saw the tour on its second night out and AM literally would point to a spot on the stage and walk to it to deliver lines.. she was pretty dreadful.
#19

re: Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 2/27/08 at 12:08pm

and Rob Donohoe's MELVIN P THORPE was fantastic, too

He was ok. But it's hard for me to judge since I had the real Melvin P. Thorpe, Marvin Zindler, sitting directly behind me the entire show. His snoring was a bit distracting (I'm not kidding).
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

Updated On: 2/27/08 at 12:08 PM

#21

re: Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 2/28/08 at 10:23pm

Donna Granata designed the costumes for the tour - except for Ann Margarets, whose costumes were by Bob Mackie. When the understudy went on, did she use the ones for Ann Margaret or did Ms. Granata design those?
Does anyone know?
#22

re: Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 2/29/08 at 12:07am

Wasn't Bus from Amarillo the last song of the show at some point? Thought that was pretty powerful.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#23

re: Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 2/29/08 at 1:41am

blaxx-
Yes. Sort of. It started out as a song for Angel, and then at some point during previews they gave it to Mona. At that point it ended Act 1, and the cast album was recorded. Towards the end of previews, they decided they needed a stronger song to end the show, and it was moved to the end of Act 2.

When Ann-Margret came on board, she wanted a new song, so "Bus From Amarillo" got moved back to Act 1, and "A Friend to Me" ended the show.

That said, given the scene at the end of Act 1 between Ed Earl and Mona, it makes more sense for "A Friend to Me" to go there. "A Friend to Me" has a more uplifting feel, whereas "Bus From Amarillo" is sadder and more in tone with what is going on.
http://www.youtube.com/huskcharmer
#24

re: Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 2/29/08 at 3:15pm

I've heard alot of stories about this show, I still thinks she sounds good and looks Great....She is a Legend....

Updated On: 2/29/08 at 03:15 PM

#25

re: Ann-Margret's understudy in Whorehouse

Posted: 3/10/08 at 5:56pm

I saw this Whorehouse. It was pretty weak. Mona must be a strong singer/actress or the show will not work. AT ALL.

Best Mona I have seen (out of five) is Julie Johnson of Das Barbecu fame. JJ did it for Casa Manana at Bass Hall in Fort Worth about 8 years ago. She stopped the show with Bus from Amarillo.

But now I am off the topic of AM and her understudy. Apologies.

← Back to Message Board

BroadwayWorld TV

View all Videos

Ticket Central
Ticket Central
Ticket Central
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $71
Hot Show
Tickets From $71
Hot Show
Tickets From $95
More Hot Shows Discounts
Recommended For You