MANCHESTER, NH – One of the joys of live theatre is how you get to experience a never-ending cast of people, places and things that exist in the realm of fantasy, a staged reality that shifts, depending on the show. For a few hours at a time, audience members are transported to another world through the magic of theater – dramatic scenarios set to lively music, and tender moments that can pluck at your heartstrings or tickle your funny bone – or both.
In this way, the Palace Theatre’s production of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” which opens Oct. 21, delivers all that and much more. Boldly billed as the sexiest show in town, actor Jay Falzone who plays Melvin Thorpe, the show’s loudmouth reporter, would like to add an asterisk of clarification on that descriptor.
“As musicals go, it’s truly the sexiest show in town – but it’s a classy sexy, not a raunchy sexy. Let’s say it’s sexy with heart,” says Falzone.
“The core of the story is about these women who are family at the end of the day, so there’s a lot of heart there – it’s a very sexy show, from the costumes – which are sparse – to the cast, which is really, really hot. Everyone’s in prime shape,” says Falzone.
The show is based on true story about an actual bordello in Texas, The Chicken Ranch, which was taken down by Falzone’s character after he exposes it for what it is, through network TV.
“It’s one of those situations, where everybody in the town is OK with the ranch until it’s brought into the public eye – half the state grew up in the house – and everyone thinks about it as part of the community – until Melvin calls it out as being evil and sinful,” Falzone says. “Then everyone, instead of defining it as they always had before, have to climb on board and see it through Melvin’s eyes.”
Not only did the show translate from book to Broadway, where it earned two Tony Awards, but it was also made into a popular film during the 1980s, starring Bert Reynolds and Dolly Parton.
Actor Nick Moulton, who recently appeared in the Palace Theatre production of “Sister Act,” plays one of the Texas A&M Aggies football team members. He says those already familiar with the show should come prepared for the royal Palace treatment.
“This production is more of a reimagining of the show. We’re taking the original concept and giving it a twist, a fresh perspective, if you will,” says Moulton. “We’re sprucing it up and adding some excitement, mostly to the score, and the dancing is going to be a blast.”
As is the case in many acting families, Falzone says he grew up on the show, and the movie version.
“My father actually played one of the smaller roles when I was a kid, and I was on stage crew,” says Falzone, a New York native. “I can still remember during his audition they asked if he could sing, and he said, ‘no,” and then they asked if he could dance, and he said, ‘no’ – and then they asked if he was willing to drop his pants on stage, and he said yes, and they said, ‘You’re hired!”
Moulton was born and raised in New Hampshire, and says he’s currently living the dream of a working actor – which means he goes where the shows are.
“Yeah, I’m living that gypsy life right now, booking jobs all around the country,” Moulton says. “Lately I’ve been to Texas, New York City, Arizona, Portsmouth – this is my sixth show at the Palace, which I love.”
Moulton says there are several “show stoppers” to look forward to – the Aggie number, which he says will be a favorite with the ladies, featuring the A&M teammates in the locker room after winning the championship, and “Twenty-four House of Lovin’.”
And both Falzone and Moulton give big props to Palace Artistic Director Carl Rijotte, who they agree has outdone himself by elevating the energy of this show.
“He’s found some moments I haven’t necessarily found before as part of the show,” says Moulton. “Carl’s perspective has added a fresh view on the heart of the show, but he’s also taken the heart and rhythm of the show and breathed new life into it. I find myself challenged, which is great from an acting perspective, and the final product will be this crazy, lively raucous show. The dancing is phenomenal – a mix of modern, West Coast swing, country – a little bit of everything, and Carl has just taken it and mashed it into this beautiful Frankenstein show.”
Tickets are still available for “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” which runs for four weekends, Oct. 21 through Nov. 12. Click here to reserve the best seats in the house.
