This Whorehouse, a sequel to The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, is produced by Suzanne Adams, and is part of Opening Doors' series of "Closing Notice" productions of flop musicals. The concert style is a "living cast album" experience — primarily serving up the songs from shows, with a little plot tossed in for good measure.
The production will be directed by Hector Coris with musical direction by Michael Lavine. Music and lyrics are by Carol Hall. The book is by Peter Masterson and Larry L. King. Choreography will be by Dana Boll.
The cast includes Dana Baràthy, Bryce Bermingham, Rebecca Greenberg, Brooke Jacob, Justin Jones, Brian Tom O'Connor, Brett Rigby, Jason B. Schmidt, Rachel Louise Thomas and Lexi Windsor.
According to production notes, "The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public is the 1994 sequel to The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. This time, madam Mona Stangley finds herself trying to raise money to pay off back taxes on a failed bordello in Nevada. With government officials and a self-righteous Southern senator on her tail, Mona's gotta think of a way to pay up or pack up."
The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public opened on May 10, 1994, and closed on May 22 after 16 performances. It was nevertheless Tony Award-nominated for Lead Actress in a Musical (Dee Hoty), Orchestrations and Costume Design. Performances are at 7 PM. The Duplex is at 61 Christopher Street. Tickets are $20 plus a two-drink minimum. Members of AEA pay only $15 plus a minimum (visit website www.ODTConline.org for AEA code.) Tickets must be purchased in advance online through www.SmartTix.com or by calling (212) 868-4444.
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Next up in the "Closing Notice" series — in conjunction with the Leroy Anderson Centennial — will be Goldilocks (book by Walter Kerr and Jean Kerr, lyrics by Walter Kerr, Jean Kerr and Joan Ford and score by Leroy Anderson) Sept. 12-14 at The Duplex. This 30th anniversary concert presentation will feature two songs that were cut from the original production.
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Opening Doors Theatre Company is a New York City-based, non-profit performing arts ensemble committed to developing an eclectic mix of programming through the artistic collaboration of performers as well as playwrights, composers, directors and designers, and providing opportunities for new talent to be seen and heard. The company was formed in 2006 by Suzanne Adams (artistic and managing director), along with Hector Coris (associate artistic director) and Eric Martin (production manager).
The "Closing Notice" Series focuses "on classic musicals that were either dubbed a flop, had short commercial runs or most likely will never be revived again." Opening Doors "respectfully presents these scores with the understanding that —unsuccessful or not — the creators poured their craft, guts and love into the work and they deserve to be heard once again — live on stage. The focus is on the score with a truncated book. The "Closing Notice" series began in December 2006 with the critically acclaimed presentation of Bring Back Birdie (2007 MAC Award nomination - Outstanding Variety Production/Recurring Series), followed by the highly-anticipated, It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman! (March 2007).
