Will We Ever See a Best Little Whorehouse Revival?- Page 2

[Kad]

Posted: 2/14/25 at 1:31pm

I've never seen the stage version but I'm fond of the cast album, though it does strike me as an old-fashioned show in its construction in that it is a rather thin plot and much of the score is sung by minor characters getting a moment rather than moving the plot forward.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 2/14/25 at 1:54pm

There was another workshop of the show (produced by Richards) just pre-Covid that starred Jennifer Nettles and Jennifer Holiday.  It had a new book written by Marco Pinnette (big time TV sitcom writer who now has DEATH BECOMES HER on the boards).  The show had always been on the Encores "shortlist" under the old CC administration.  No idea if they are still considering it.

 

 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 2/14/25 at 3:39pm

darquegk said: "How big is the role of the narrator/bandleader? Does it double any other roles, or is it just "leads the band and opens the show with a monologue?""

The character is literally the conductor of the onstage band.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 2/14/25 at 3:47pm

Kad said: "I've never seen the stage version but I'm fond of the cast album, though it does strike me as an old-fashioned show in its construction in that it is a rather thin plot and much of the score is sung by minor characters getting a moment rather than moving the plot forward."

The show is about how this event impacts different people in a community.. Most of the songs that take place outside of the Whorehouse are about exploring these different perspectives. The show is also about outside appearances vs. honest interiors.  I'm not saying the musical is especially 'deep,' but in its humour and heart it has a lot to say about who  people are and why we act the way we do.

[joevitus]

Posted: 2/14/25 at 4:10pm

QueenAlice said: " It was based on an article in Playbill magazine and was developed at the Actors Studio where Pete and Carlyn were members."

 

Probably a typo, but for those who don't know, the article appeared in Playboy, not Playbill. 

 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 2/14/25 at 4:20pm

Thanks Joe - yes, that was a "G rated" spelling correction

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 2/14/25 at 11:15pm

Perhaps reading the Playboy article itself would lend some perspective.

[DAME]

Posted: 2/15/25 at 1:09am

There’s also a fascinating book out there about the making of the musical. It’s called the whorehouse papers. I think it was written by Larry L King. 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 2/16/25 at 1:20pm

Yes, though it's out of print. There are a handful of affordable copies on Amazon, and I'm sure it's probably still floating around in at least some of the bigger library systems

[kess0078]

Posted: 2/16/25 at 3:49pm

I think  that Jinkx Monsoon would be compelling casting of Miss Mona for a revival in our current times. I think she's likely to be well-received in "Pirates" this spring, and a Tony nomination could be the launchpad headlining a Broadway show next. She certainly brought audiences to "Chicago" and "Little Shop of Horrors" during her stints in those shows.

[joevitus]

Posted: 2/16/25 at 5:49pm

DAME said: "There’s also a fascinating book out there about the making of the musical. It’s called the whorehouse papers. I think it was written by Larry L King."

It was by King, yes. Interesting, hilarious, and since his career wasn't in the theater, he could be totally honest. The downside of the book is that he's pretty clearly homophobic. I've always hesitated recommending it to theather fans for that reason, but the fact is, it's a very good look into the creation of a show. 

Updated On: 2/16/25 at 05:49 PM