theatre under the stars • 2011/12 study guide

THEATRE UNDER THE STARS • 2011/12 STUDY GUIDE
RATED
THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEAXS • JUNE 5 – 17, 2012 •
THE HOBBY CENTER
PG-13
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THEATRE UNDER THE STARS • 2011/12 STUDY GUIDE
TEXAS ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
English Language Arts and Reading
English I:
English II:
English III:
English IV:
110.31 (13, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23)
110.32 (13, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23)
110.33 (13, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23)
110.34 (13, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23)
Social Studies
Grade 7:
Music
Level I:
Level II:
Level III:
Level IV:
Theatre
Level I:
Level II:
Level III:
Level IV:
113.23 (17)
117.60 (6)
117.61 (6)
117.62 (6)
117.63 (6)
117.64 (4, 5)
117.65 (4, 5)
117.66 (4, 5)
117.67 (4,5)
Please visit http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/ for more information.
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THEATRE UNDER THE STARS • 2011/12 STUDY GUIDE
Photo courtesy of Casa Manana.
A Brief Summary
Set in the late 1970s, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas takes place
at the Chicken Ranch, a brothel that has been operating peacefully
in Texas for more than a century. The Chicken Ranch is currently is
under the ownership of Miss Mona who takes care of her girls and
is on good terms with the local sheriff, Ed Earl Dodd, and the local
community. When television reporter Melvin P. Thorpe decides to
make the illegal activity an issue, political ramifications cause the
Chicken Ranch to be closed down. For a more detailed synopsis, see
pages 6 and 7 of this study guide.
RATED
PG-13
PARENTAL GUIDELINES
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas contains some sexual references and suggestive costumes. Some material may be
inappropriate for children under 13. TUTS gives the show a movie rating of PG- 13.
Adult Language
The words hell, shit and bitch are all said more than five times. The word damn or god damn is said more than 20 times
throughout the musical. The f-word is said three times.
Violence
Shy talks about her dad molesting her. The sheriff fires his gun to clear the street of Melvin and the reporters. The raid
on the Chicken Ranch involves multiple scuffles and catches the girls having sex with the Aggie boys. Miss Mona fires her
shotgun to clear the protesters from her yard.
Drugs/Alcohol
Miss Mona suggests that the sheriff unlock his bootleg whiskey to drink.
Sexual References
The Chicken Ranch is a brothel where girls solicit money or poultry for sex. Many of the costumes the girls wear are
suggestive and provocative. Breasts are partially and fully exposed. The songs 20 Fans, A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country
Place, 24 Hours of Lovin’, Doatsey Mae and The Aggie March have sexual or suggestive references. The Aggie boys go
to the Chicken Ranch to have sex. When the Chicken Ranch is going to be closed, the girls all talk about where they have
worked as prostitutes and call girls and where they are going to go to continue soliciting sex for money.
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THEATRE UNDER THE STARS • 2011/12 STUDY GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FRONT ROW : 20 Fans
STORY BEHIND THE STORY
MOVIE VS MUSIC AL
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
......... 5
......... 5
......... 6
7/8 ......... DETAILED SYNOPSIS
CURTAIN CALL : Learning Activities
WHO’S WHO: TOMMY TUNE.........
LOOKING B ACK: CHICKEN RANCHES.........
HISTORY: THE TRUE STORY.........
LEARNING ACTIVITIES.........
CENTER STAGE: The Sidestep
9
10
11
12
13 .........
14 .........
15 .........
16 .........
BACKSTAGE : About Musical Theatre
A BRIEF HISTORY
RECIPE FOR CREATING A MUSIC AL
THEATRE ETIQUETTE
ABOUT TUTS
TUTS STUDY GUIDE
TUTS creates online study guides for use by educators and parents in an effort to enhance
and build upon students’ theatrical experiences. These study guides contain background
information, historical facts, discussion questions, project ideas and learning activities
to encourage students to engage in analysis, research and personal reflection that will
hopefully create life-long appreciation and enjoyment of musical theatre.
4
F R O N T R O W : 20 Fans
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Photo
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A sequel, The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public, was staged in 1994 on
Broadway. Written by King and Masterson with music and lyrics by Hall,
this musical was more of a series of burlesque-style sketches and musical
interludes than a traditional show. In this sequel, Miss Mona is brought out
of retirement to help run a Las Vegas brothel for the IRS. The show won
a Tony for Best Actress and two Drama Desk Awards, but has not been
revived on Broadway.
tesy
The original Broadway production, directed by Peter Masterson and Texas
native Tommy Tune, who also choreographed the show, opened at the 46th
Street Theatre on June 19, 1978. The show ran for 1, 584 performances
winning two Tonys, a Theatre World Award and three Drama Desk awards.
Edna Milton, the real-life madam of the Chicken Ranch, played the role of
Miss Wulla Jean, and King performed in the musical as the T.V. announcer.
The show has been revived several times and toured nationally in 2001.
TUTS has produced the show once before in 1990.
cour
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, written by Texans Larry L. King and
Peter Masterson with music and lyrics by Carol Hall, is based on the real
Chicken Ranch that operated in La Grange, Texas. King wrote the book in
1978 after the chain of events between reporter Marvin Zindler, Sheriff
T.J. Flournoy and Madam Edna Milton took place, resulting in the closing
of the Chicken Ranch. His book is based on one of his previously written
articles for Playboy magazine.
Photo
Story Behind the Story
Movie vs Musical
Photo co
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas was made into a movie and released
on July 23, 1982, it featured Dolly Parton as Miss Mona and Burt Reynolds
as Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd. The film was nominated for several Academy
Awards and Golden Globes and grossed $69 million at the box office.
Universal had some difficulties with the film version because the word
whorehouse was considered obscene in several states. Television ads were
banned in those states and in others the word whorehouse was censored.
The movie was referred to as The Best Little Cathouse in Texas in some print
ads and sometimes as The Best Little Chicken House in Texas during cast
interviews.
ur tesy
of colli
der.com
Photo courtesy of amazon.com
While the movie contains the majority of Hill’s original songs, Girl You’re
a Woman, 24 Hours of Lovin’, Doatsey Mae, The Angelette March, No Lies
and Good Old Girl are not included in the film. Parton wrote the song
Sneakin’ Around for her and Reynolds to sing as a duet in the film, and she
sings two stanzas of her hit I Will Always Love You at the end of the movie
as well.
The plot is mostly the same, except in the stage version Miss Mona and
the sheriff had a one-night stand many years ago, whereas in the movie
the two characters have an ongoing love affair. The love affair creates
two scenes that do not take place in the stage version: a heated exchange
between Mona and the sheriff, in which he calls her a whore, and the
happy ending when the sheriff proposes to Mona at the end of the film.
5
F R O N T R O W : 20 Fans
Characters
Character Descriptions
Photo courtesy of Casa Manana
Photo courtesy of Casa Manana
Senator J.T. Wingwoah
The Texas governor who takes the
Aggie boys to the Chicken Ranch,
but publicly denounces its business
and closes the Chicken Ranch to
save his own reputation.
Melvin P. Thorpe
A larger-than-life television
reporter who claims to be “for
the people”. He wants to close the
Chicken Ranch because it’s illegal
and immoral.
Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd
The sheriff of the town who has
had a past romantic relationship
with Miss Mona. He supports the
Chicken Ranch despite the fact
that it’s illegal and wants to find
a way to keep the ranch open. In
the end, he is the one to officially
close the Chicken Ranch.
Miss Mona Stangley
She was a call girl at the Chicken
Ranch before she became the
owner. She keeps the same strict
rules from the previous owner,
and she genuinely cares about
her girls. She still has romantic
feelings for the sheriff, but
realizes they are not mutual.
Photo courtesy of Casa Manana
Doatsey Mae
A long-time waitress at the Texas
Twinkle Cafe. Although she wishes
she could be more like Miss
Mona, she is rather plain and has
romantic interests in the sheriff.
Photo courtesy of Casa Manana
Photo courtesy of Casa Manana
Jewel
Miss Mona’s maid and friend, she
works at the Chicken Ranch.
6
C E N T E R S T A G E : The Sidestep
Detailed Synopsis
ACT ONE
Angel, a seasoned professional prostitute, and Shy, a
slightly awkward and less experienced girl, come to the
Chicken Ranch looking for jobs. Miss Mona and the girls
explain the rules. She hires Angel, after giving her a quick
makeover, and Shy, despite her apparent innocence (A
Lil Old Bitty Pissant Country Place).
Shy admits to Miss Mona that her dad molested her and
that now she has nowhere to go. Miss Mona agrees to
help her get fixed up to work at the Chicken Ranch (Girl
You’re a Woman).
Meanwhile, investigative reporter Melvin P. Thorpe is on
KTEX-TV telling Texas residents that there is a whorehouse
in their midst - the Chicken Ranch (Watchdog Theme/
Texas Has a Whorehouse In It).
At the Chicken Ranch, Angel talks to her son on the phone.
Miss Mona overhears and tells Angel she might be able
to get Christmas off work.
The girls at the Chicken Ranch are getting ready for the
winners of the football game who will come celebrate at
the ranch after their win. Jewel, Miss Mona’s maid, has the
day off and is going to spend it with her man, although a
day is hardly enough time (24 Hours of Lovin’).
does not get too worried because the people around the
town know she pays taxes, sponsors town events and has
a good reputation. The sheriff gets angry at Miss Mona,
then is called back to the courthouse because Melvin is
looking to interview him.
Melvin is filming on the courthouse steps, surrounded by
a crowd of people. The sheriff tells him to leave and
explodes in a fit of curse words when Melvin mentions
the Chicken Ranch. The sheriff shoots his pistol into the air
to clear the street of Melvin and the crowds (Watchdog
Reprise/Texas Has a Whorehouse In It Reprise)
At the Texas Twinkle Café, it is the Saturday of the Texas
A&M (Aggies) versus University of Texas football game.
The local newspaper editor, Edsel Mackey, is in the diner
with waitress Doatsey Mae arguing about the news report
on the Chicken Ranch. Rufus, the mayor, and insurance
agent C.J. come to the diner discussing the same thing.
The sheriff enters the diner and everyone admonishes
him for allowing Melvin to report on the Chicken Ranch.
Photo courtesy of Casa Manana
As soon as Jewel leaves, Sheriff Ed Earl comes to talk
to Miss Mona. Miss Mona sends the girls away, and the
sheriff tells her about Melvin’s report. He is worried
because he knows about the Chicken Ranch and basically
supports it, even though it’s technically illegal. Miss Mona
Photo courtesy of Casa Manana
The Chicken Ranch is introduced, and the audience
discovers that the clean, little place has been around
for years and is currenly run by Miss Mona. The Chicken
Ranch has twenty rooms for the girls to perform their
service (Prologue/20 Fans).
7
C E N T E R S T A G E : The Sidestep
Detailed Synopsis
Edsel says that he’s glad he is not in Miss Mona’s position,
but Doatsey Mae says she would trade places with her
(Doatsey Mae). The sheriff leaves and the rest of the
group go on to argue about who will win the football
game.
The football game is on TV, complete with the Angelette
dancers (Angelette March).
ACT TWO
Edsel questions the Senator as to how he ended up in a
whorehouse, and he blames communists, which nobody
believes. The Governor arrives on the scene, and the
reporters start to question him. He distracts them with
pointless tangents and doesn’t directly answer any
questions, so Melvin and his crew take that to mean they
are going to get the Chicken Ranch closed (The Sidestep).
Protesters have gathered outside the Chicken Ranch, and
the girls enjoy waving and taunting those who have used
their services before. Miss Mona sees the protest and
fires her shotgun in the air causing everyone to scatter
and leave.
The girls go off to their rooms, while Miss Mona tells
Jewel her about her past romance and lasting feelings
for the sheriff, although she admits the current situation
has gotten beyond his control now (No Lies).
Photo courtesy of Casa Manana
The sheriff is working in his office when Rufus and C.J.
barge in. The two are mad that the sheriff has not
done anything about the Chicken Ranch. The governor
calls while the group is arguing and tells the sheriff
to officially close down the Chicken Ranch (Good Old
Girl). Meanwhile, back at the Chicken Ranch, the girls
are packing up and discussing where they are going to
go next. Angel decides that she is going to go home to
her son and stop working as a prostitute (Hard Candy
Christmas).
At the football game, Senator J.T. Wingwoah
congratulates the Aggies on their victory and makes
good on his promise to take them to the Chicken Ranch
to celebrate, even though he denounced the place on the
news just the night before (The Aggie Song).
The sheriff makes his way back to the Chicken Ranch
to find Miss Mona leaving with Jewel. Miss Mona asks
him about a romantic moment they shared together. He
doesn’t remember the moment, prompting Miss Mona‘s
realization that there is nothing left between them (The
Bus from Amarillo Reprise/20 Fans Reprise).
The Aggies arrive at the Chicken Ranch to a big
celebration, and the Senator pays for everyone’s thrills.
Miss Mona is going over her books when the Sheriff
comes over asking if she’s seen Melvin. The two end up
reminiscing about the first time they met and their past
love (The Bus from Amarillo).
Act One ends as Melvin and groups of reporters raid the
Chicken Ranch
8
C U R T A I N C A L L : Learning Activities
Who’s Who: Tommy Tune
A Native Texan
Thomas James Tune was born in 1939 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Growing up Tune had
an interest in dance, especially ballet, but when he grew to be 6 foot 6 inches tall, he
decided a career in theatre was more possible. Tune attended Houston’s Lamar High
School and then took some classes at Lon Morris College. He earned his Bachelor’s
degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1962 and took graduate courses at the
University of Houston before he moved to New York to start his show business career in
1965.
Tune’s Career
On his first day in New York, Tune was offered a job as part of the chorus for Baker
Street the musical which was followed with chorus roles in A Joyful Noise and How
Now Dow Jones. Tune moved to Hollywood in 1969 for a role in the film Hello Dolly!.
He was cast alongside super model Twiggy in the film The Boyfriend in 1971. The
two would team up again in My One and Only in 1983.
After Hello Dolly!, Tune returned to New York and won his first Tony with his
starring role in the musical Seesaw. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas earned him
his first directing and choreographing credits in 1978, and he continued directing
with A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine in 1980. Tune went on to direct
Nine in 1982, Stepping Out in 1987 and Turn of the Century in 2008; direct and
choreograph Grand Hotel in 1989 and The Will Rogers Follies in 1991; and perform
in Tommy Tune Tonite! and Bye Bye Birdie both in 1992. He also worked as the
production supervisor for the 1994 Grease revival. Tune has most recently been
performing in his musical revenue Steps in Time: A Broadway Biography in Song and
Dance.
Photo co
ur tesy of
tommyt
une.com
Tune’s Achievements
In his lifetime, Tune has earned nine Tony Awards, eight Drama Desk Awards, three
Astaire Awards and the Society of Directors and Choreographers’ George Abbott
Award for Lifetime Achievement. Tune received The National Medal of Arts, which is the
highest honor for artistic achievement given by the President, and he has his own star on
the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Tommy Tune Awards
The Tommy Tune Awards were created by Theatre Under The Stars to recognize and
reward musical theatre excellence by high school students and their teachers. Each year
more than 150 high schools in the in the greater Houston metropolitan area apply to
participate in the Tommy Tune Awards. The first 45 schools who apply are eligible to
win awards in a number of categories, including best musical, best choreography and
best leading actors/actresses, to name just a few. Scholarships are also awarded each
year to outstanding participants of the Tommy Tune Awards. The awards are presented
in April every year.
Learning Activities
Imagine and Write
TUTS gives the Tommy Tune Awards in Tune’s name
because has had such an influential career and he
grew up in Texas. Imagine that your hometown wants
to give out an award in your name. What would the
award be for? Why would your name be on it? What
did you accomplish to become famous or influential?
Write about and describe your award.
9
C U R T A I N C A L L : Learning Activities
Photo courtesy of blog.emerson.edu
Looking Back: Chicken Ranches
The Beginning of the Chicken Ranch
The Chicken Ranch featured in the musical is based on the real Chicken Ranch that existed
for more than 130 years in La Grange, Texas. The operation can be traced back to 1844,
when Miss Swine became the first madam with three girls who worked out of a hotel near
the town’s saloon. Despite keeping a good working relationship with town lawmen. Miss
Swine and one of her girls were run out of town during the Civil War. No official records
were kept after that until Miss Jessie Williams came along in 1905 and bought a small
house near Waco. Miss Jessie maintained a good relationship with lawmen and politicians
and ran a respectable business. After hearing of possible crusades against her business,
Miss Jessie bought two houses on the outskirts of La Grange, which became the location of
the Chicken Ranch featured in the musical.
The Chicken Ranch in
1937
Miss Jessie’s Reign
When the Great Depression hit in the 1930s, the girls began to charge “one chicken for
one screw” when customers did not have money. The Chicken Ranch carried on successfully
with this arrangement as none of the girls were ever hungry and extra eggs and chickens
were sold. The local economy picked up again when Camp Swift was built near the Chicken
Ranch, and the girls used their letters as advertisements again during World War II. As the
war ended, Miss Jessie ran the house from the confines of her wheelchair and eventually
gave it up to one of her girls, Edna Milton, in 1952.
Photo courtesy of blog.emerson.edu
Miss Jessie’s business flourished in La Grange. Her girls sent letters and packages to local
boys fighting in World War I as a form of public relations, and when cars were made more
accessible in the 1920s, more prostitutes and customers came. Miss Jessie ran the house with
strict rules; nothing exotic was permitted and none of the rooms had locks on the doors.
She was also on good terms with the sheriff, Will Lossein, who came by every night to get
information about criminals that came to Chicken Ranch bragging about their crimes. Miss
Jessie even contributed money to civic organizations and the community.
The Chicken Ranch
remains in 2005
Edna Milton’s Reign
Photo courtesy of blog.emerson.edu
Edna proved to be more than capable as a madam and continued nearly all of Miss Jessie’s
traditions. She kept on good terms with the new sheriff, T.J. Flournoy, whom she called
every night to discuss criminal activity. All her girls were fingerprinted and photographed
by the sheriff before they could start work, and no girls with previous criminal records
were allowed. Edna did not allow social contact between the girls and the residents of
La Grange. The girls saw a doctor every week to be checked for STDs, and Edna rotated
where she shopped and bought supplies to support all the local stores. The more donations
Edna gave to the community and surrounding area, the more successful the Chicken Ranch
seemed to become. On some weekends there was a line out the door! One military base
provided helicopter transportation to the Chicken Ranch and a visit became an initiation rite
for freshmen at Texas A&M. The prostitutes made $300 a week, seeing five to 25 customers
a day, at a rate $15 for 15 minutes. Edna continued this way until the Chicken Ranch was
shut down in 1973.
Edna Milton
Brothels Today
Today, there are no more brothels in Texas, but there is one in the town of Pahrump, in Nye
County, Nevada where prostitution is legal. Located about 60 miles west of Las Vegas, this
brothel, also named the Chicken Ranch, charges about $400 per hour and the house keeps
half of that price. The girls are routinely checked for STDs and are licensed sex workers.
Besides that brothel, there are several more located in this area of Nevada, including The
Love Ranch (formerly known as the Moonlite Bunny Ranch), which was featured on HBO’s
series the Cathouse, as well as the Kit Kat Guest Ranch and the Sagebrush Ranch.
10
C U R T A I N C A L L : Learning Activities
History: The True Story
Photo co
Marvin Zindler
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The next day, Conners and his team returned to the Chicken Ranch with a marked KTRK car
and asked Edna Milton directly what kind of business she was running. Milton told him she
was running a boarding house, she paid her taxes and that no government officials were
being paid off.
.com
An anonymous tip sparked the investigation of the Chicken Ranch. Upon hearing of
the alleged houses of prostitution Zindler sent Larry Ambrose, an Eyewitness News
photographer, Larry Conners, a news reporter and several other news team members on
the first stake-out. The team put curtains on an unmarked van to conceal their cameras and
identities and went to the Sealy location. They confirmed the Sealy motel, also known as the
Wagon Wheel, was a house of prostitution and continued to the Chicken Ranch. Once there,
Ambrose went inside and took pictures from his pocket using a scope camera. His camera
was discovered, and he was sent out.
nytimes
The First Investigation
ur tesy of
Marvin Zindler, a Texas native, was a reporter for Houston’s ABC affiliate KTRK-TV. Known best
for his blue-tinted glasses, hair pieces and peacock fashion style, his news career in investigative
reporting started with the Chicken Ranch in 1973 when he was 51 years old. After successfully
closing the Chicken Ranch, Zindler became an investigative reporter and consumer advocate
for Eyewitness News who frequently campaigned against scams, unsafe and unsanitary food
conditions, and medical abuse. He quickly became KTRK’s celebrity newshound and his nightly
segments, like “Slime in the ice machine” became well-known throughout Texas. He died in 2007
at the age of 85.
Everyone Knows, But They Won’t Act
After that, it became clear to Zindler that government officials knew about The Chicken Ranch
and the Wagon Wheel. He interviewed Oliver Kitzman, the District Attorney of both Fayette
County and Austin County where the two brothels were located. Kitzman admitted that most
people knew about the brothels, including public officials, but no one had ever tried to close
them down because they never seemed to be a problem for law enforcement.
cour
tesy
of Ca
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When Zindler asked Flournoy about the previous investigation, he denied the part about holding
the agents up, and he said there was no organized crime involved, nor were any of the deputies
accepting payoffs. The sheriff also admitted that he closed the Chicken Ranch down for a few
weeks the year before. It was an election year and the Texas Ranger’s Colonel did not want the
public to know he knew about the Chicken Ranch, so the sheriff helped him out by hiding it for
a bit. This only furthered proved Zindler’s hypothesis that the government knew all about the
brothel operations, yet did nothing.
Photo
Sheriff T.J. Flournoy was approached next. Flournoy had been the sheriff in La Grange for
27 years and worked another 13 years as chief deputy. The year before, the state of Texas
had investigated the brothels to see if they were connected to organized crime. According to
the state agents who went out to the Chicken Ranch property, Flournoy held a shotgun to them.
However, the agents still managed to determine that on two consecutive days in November
1972, 484 people went to the Chicken Ranch and that approximately 1.5 million dollars a year
was spent at the ranch, although that number was later denied from all sides.
The End of an Era
Zindler took his reports and evidence straight to the governor. While The Sidestep is the song
the Governor sings in the musical, Governor Dolph Briscoe took direct action and did not beat
around the bush. He had both operations closed just days after Zindler came to him, ending the
era of the Chicken Ranch.
11
C U R T A I N C A L L : Learning Activities
Activities
Research and Discuss
Compare and Contrast
Marvin Zindler’s news career started with the Chicken
Ranch, but he went on to do many other influential
news pieces. He also held several jobs before
becoming a news reporter, including working as a
sheriff. Research Zindler’s working career. What other
jobs did he do besides reporting? How do you think
his previous jobs helped or hindered him in his news
career? Do you think it was a bad idea for Zindler
to change careers since he was older? Discuss your
findings.
Compare and Contrast one of the main characters
from the musical (Miss Mona, the sheriff, the governor
or Melvin P. Thorpe) with his/her real-life counterpart
(Edna Milton, Sheriff Flournoy, Governor Briscoe or
Marvin Zindler). Is the character anything like the
real person? How is he/she the same? How is he/she
different? Does the real person like the way he/she
was portrayed in the musical? Was the portrayal of
the person in the musical accurate?
Compare and Contrast the real story of the Chicken
Ranch to the story portrayed in the musical. What
events are the same? What events are different?
Does the musical accurately portray the events that
closed the Chicken Ranch? Is there anything specific
the musical could add or take away to make it more
accurate to the real story?
Eighteen months after the Chicken Ranch was shut
down, Zindler returned to La Grange to do a news
piece about how the town was not negatively
impacted with the Chicken Ranch gone. Zindler,
however, was never able to do the piece because he
got into a scuffle with Sheriff Flournoy. Research what
happened between the two of them. Why did they
get into a fight? Discuss your findings.
Watch and Compare
Photo courtesy of city-data.com
Online Resources
Watch the 1982 film of The Best Little Whorehouse in
Texas and Compare it to the musical. How are the two
stories the same? How are they different? Is either of
them like the real story?
Imagine and Write
Imagine you are Marvin Zindler and somebody just
told you about the Chicken Ranch. What would you
do? Who would you talk to? Would you think the
Chicken Ranch was a problem? How would you go
about finding the truth? Would you want to close the
Chicken Ranch down? Write an article describing what
actions you would take.
Websites:
Think and Create
The Chicken Ranch History (http://www.tshaonline.
Think about what it would be like if you lived in La
Grange when the reporters were trying to get the
Chicken Ranch closed. Would you support the Chicken
Ranch or would you want to see it close down? Create
a poster, sign or presentation representing your
position.
org/handbook/online/articles/ysc01) and (http://www.
lagrangetourism.com/History/History-The-Chicken-Ranch.html)
The True Story (http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/
story?section=resources/inside_station/station_
info&id=3300910)
Tommy Tune (http://www.tommytune.com)
Marvin Zindler (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/02/
us/02zindler.html)
Videos:
A Classic Marvin Zindler Report (http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=eNPpyyCjEPk)
12
B A C K S T A G E : About Musical Theatre
A BRIEF HISTORY OF MUSICALS
THE BEGINNING
The origins of musicals can be traced back to 500 B.C. when the ancient Greeks first
performed shows with song and dance. Looking forward into the 19th century, European
operas and operettas began to influence American musical culture. In 1860, Laura Keene
starred in the first musical “burlettz” (burlesque) The Seven Sisters. Six years later (1866), the
first show to resemble a modern day musical, The Black Crook, premiered in New York City. In
1907, Florenz Ziegfeld’s first revenue of popular songs, Follies, was born with lavish costumes,
ornate sets and a display of star performers.
Photo courtesy of musicals101.com
THE 1920s & 1930s
Photo courtesy of valdosta.edu
The 20s and 30s introduced famous composers such as Irving Berlin and George
Gershwin, among others, to the musical scene. The collaboration of Jerome Kern, Oscar
Hammerstein II and Ziegfeld led to the ground-breaking Show Boat in 1927, which
integrated a book, score and songs to tell a narrative. In 1934, Cole Porter and Ethel
Merman teamed up for Anything Goes. Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart opened The Boys
from Syracuse in 1938, which was the first Broadway show to be adapted from a work of
Shakespeare.
THE GOLDEN AGE
Photo courtesy of broadwayworld.com
The Golden Age stretched from 1940 to 1960. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!
was the first musical to incorporate dance and music into the plot in 1943. The hits kept
coming in the following years with: Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun in 1946, Rodgers and
Hammerstein’s South Pacific in 1949, Harold Prince’s The Pajama Game in 1954, Lerner and
Loewe’s My Fair Lady in 1956 and West Side Story in 1957 with music by Leonard Bernstein,
lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and choreography by Jerome Robbins. Highlights from the
1960s include: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in 1961, Fiddler on the Roof in 1964
and Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon’s Sweet Charity in 1966.
Photo courtesy of theatremania.com
CONTEMPORARY MUSICALS
Beginning with Hair‘s rock music score in 1968, the age of Contemporary Musicals focused
on unique concepts and ideas. Stephen Sondheim and director/producer Harold Prince
became the musical leaders of their generation with the revolutionary Company in 1970.
Andrew Lloyd Weber opened his controversial Jesus Christ Superstar in 1971. Michael
Bennett’s acclaimed A Chorus Line debuted in 1975, its success even overshadowing
Bob Fosse’s Chicago, which opened the same year. 42nd Street opened in 1980 and the
adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel, Les Miserables opened in 1987. Walt Disney’s animated
film favorites were welcomed onto the stage with Beauty and the Beast in 1994 and Lion King
in 1997. Meanwhile in 1996, Jonathan Larson’s Rent, broke all barriers and was put in a
class of its own.
MODERN MUSICALS
Revivals of old shows have been frequent since 1977 , but there has been a host of new
shows in the past decade. Mel Brooks’ musical about making a musical, The Producers
opened in 2001 and Hairspray debuted with big haired Tracy in 2002. The extravagant
version of OZ, Wicked premiered in 2003 and Avenue Q brought its puppet cast to life in
2004. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee allowed audiences into the minds of preteens in 2005 and Spring Awakening told the tale of teenagers in 2007. Most recently,
Bono created the expensive and dangerous, yet thrilling Spider-Man in 2011. The Book of
Mormon, by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone swept the 2011 Tonys with its fresh
and funny story.
Photo courtesy of nytimes.com
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B A C K S T A G E : About Musical Theatre
RECIPE FOR CREATING A MUSICAL
STEP 1 : Gather the Ingredients
Combine the writer’s script with the composer’s songs and the lyricist’s
lyrics to create a show that tells a story. The show itself should include
several of the following elements: characters, conflict, humor, romance,
costumes, sets, singing, dancing, animals, puppets and/or special
effects. Meet with the producer to determine budget and the target
audience.
STEP 2 : Mix it up
Ingredients
• Writer
•Composer
•Lyricist
•Music Director
•Producer
•Director
•Lighting/Sound Directors
•Choreographer
•Set Designer
•Costume Designer
•Prop Master
•Stage Manager
•Stage Hands
•Musicians
•Performers
(singers/dancers/actors)
•Audience
Add in the creative team, which includes the director, choreographer,
music director, costume and set designers, stage manager, lighting and
sound directors to the mix. Define the vision of the show and decide
what it should look like. Discuss and plan what needs to be done to
make the show come to life.
The
Stor
y
STEP 3 : Stir well
Hold auditions or try-outs for musicians, dancers, actors and singers.
Hold call-back auditions to invite qualified performers for a second
round of auditions. Determine and hire the performers and musicians
that are a best fit for the show. Cast performers in appropriate
character, ensemble and musical roles.
Musical Mixing Bowl
STEP 4 : Bake at high temperature
Teach the performers and musicians the show. Everyone should
memorize their lines, know the correct notes to their songs and the
rhythm and order of the choreography. Rehearse, rehearse and
rehearse. Bring the performers, musicians, stage hands, lights, music,
costumes, sets and all other elements of the show together for a full
dress rehearsal – otherwise known as a complete practice of the show,
just without the audience. Work out all costume and set changes and
really make sure everyone is comfortable in their roles, both on stage
and backstage. Set the curtain call or bows.
Vocabulary
Choreographer – the person who creates the dances and
movement patterns for the show
Stage Manager – the person who manages and takes care of the
stage, sets and all special effects; directs the stage hands
STEP 5 : Serve with a smile
Add in the audience on opening night and perform. Broadway shows
are usually performed in the evening, multiple days a week and
sometimes in the afternoon for matinee shows. Don’t forget to smile.
Stage Hands – technicians and trained individuals who work side
stage and back stage before, during and after the show to make
all special effects, scene changes and clean-ups happen.
Prop Master – the person in charge of getting, storing,
maintaining and sometimes creating the props used in the show.
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THEATRE UNDER THE STARS • 2011/12 STUDY GUIDE
THEATRE ETIQUETTE
12
9
Applaud after scenes, songs,
acts and at the end of the
show. Otherwise try to keep
quiet during the show.
6
Arrive at the theatre at
least 30 minutes before the
show starts and try not to
leave the theatre, except
during intermission.
Photo courtesy of Casa Manana
7:5
D
O
O
F
Don’t eat food inside the
theatre. Save snacks for
intermission.
3
5 P.
M.
OFF
Turn off cell phones before the
show or put them on silent. Make
sure not to text or use a cell phone
during the show. Texting and the
light from your cell phone are very
distracting to both the performers
on stage and the audience
members around you.
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THEATRE UNDER THE STARS • 2011/12 STUDY GUIDE
ABOUT TUTS
Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is Houston’s acclaimed
non-profit musical theatre company. Founded in 1968
by Frank M. Young, TUTS’ name originated from its first
performance venue, Miller Outdoor Theatre. Since its
founding, TUTS has produced more than 300 musicals
including local, national and world premieres, making it
a nationally renowned company.
TUTS created the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre
in 1972 as a way to provide stage experience and
instruction to both students and professionals. TUTS
expanded their education offerings in 2010 when The
River, a program for children with special needs, became
an affiliate of TUTS. Since 2002, TUTS has presented the
Tommy Tune Awards annually, which honor the up and
coming stars of Houston’s high school theatre programs.
TUTS is now housed in the Hobby Center for the
Performing Arts where the fiber-optic ceiling keeps
TUTS “under the stars” all year long. TUTS is pleased to
present its 2011/12 season, “Seeing is Believing!”
The Hobby Center. Photo by Leah Polkowske Photography.
Connect with TUTS!
Theatre Under The Stars • 713.558.2600
800 Bagby Suite 200, Houston, TX. 77002
www.tuts.com • twitter.com/tutshouston
www.facebook.com/TheatreUnderTheStars
TUTS thanks our Sponsors
Season Sponsor
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THEATRE
THEATREUNDER
UNDERTHE
THESTARS
STARS••2011/12
2011/12STUDY
STUDYGUIDE
GUIDE
TUTS STUDY GUIDE
Thank you!
As a parent/educator, you are the only person qualified to determine what is
appropriate for your child(ren)/student(s), but we hope the information and rating
system in this guide were helpful. This was designed and written by Dana Lizik and
overseen by David Greiss, Mandi Hunsicker-Sallee, Jacqueline Martin,Scott Howard,
Katie Curry and Misty Robertson. Please feel free to copy and distribute. Printed in the
United States of America. First Digital Edition: July 2011.
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