Jazz McIlwain (Photo by Randi Roberts)
Reviewed by Lovell Estell III
Morgan Wixson Theatre
Through April 6
RECOMMENDED
Back in 1978, the theater-going public was introduced to the story of the “Chicken Ranch” brothel in Texas (so named because in the early days the johns used to pay for their pleasures with chickens) that closed its doors in 1973. The musical was a big hit on Broadway, and the story received a splashy, Tinseltown handling in the 1982 film starring Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton. It’s a ribald satire taking aim at small town politics, corruption, good ol’ boy skullduggery and the allure of vice. The story and book is by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson with music and lyrics by Carol Hall.
The plot, such as it is, centers on the owner and operator of the Chicken Ranch Miss Mona Stangley (fine job by Bouket Fingerhut), who, along with her manager Jewel (Krysten V. Williams), runs a stable of ten gals. Mona’s a “nookie-bookie” which requires a certain level of refinement and decorum from her ladies, and she has her rules, among them, “no kissin on the lips”, no bad language, and no drinking. Also, she insists on calling her customers “guests”. She runs a tight ship, and with the aid of her friend and former lover, Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd (David Callendar), things have been running smoothly.
Until a crusading TV personality named Melvin P. Thorpe (the hilarious Richard Rosales), who is equal parts televangelist, pitchman and technicolored circus act, gets wind of the goings on at the Ranch and rallies the morally outraged to shut it down. Not so easy a task, as Miss Mona has some influential friends, like the duplicitous Governor Briscoe (Michael Heimos) and the brash, lusty Senator Wingwoah (Spencer Johnson who doubles as Mayor Rufus Poindexter).
The attraction here is not so much the story, but the music and dancing, as well as the fun and laughs. Director Kristie Mattsson, in collaboration with choreographer Niko Montelibano and musical director Abby Carlson ,manage their large ensemble extremely well. The best musical moments come from ensemble numbers like “Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place” and Texas Has a Whorehouse In It”, but Fingerhut and Williams showcase their vocal gifts in “Bus From Amarillo” and “Twenty-Four hours of lovin. “ Kristie Mattson and Ariella Salinas Fiore furnish a colorful array of costumes (lots of “come hither” lingerie on display). Mattson’s clapboard scenic design blends functionality and a rustic attractiveness. Lighting and sound design are by Jeanne Valleroy.
Morgan-Wixson Theater, 2627 Pico Blvd.; Santa Monica. Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm; thru April 6. www.morgan-wixson.org Running time: two hours and 30 minutes with an intermission.
