Greetings Natchez and the Miss-Lou!

It may come as a shock to you all, but it’s true! Natchez has a whorehouse and it’s “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” at Natchez Little Theatre Feb. 24–28, at 319 Linton Ave. at Maple Street. This popular rompin’ stompin’ country musical comedy is produced in cooperation with the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration.

“The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” is an utterly charming, humorous, lively and good-natured musical with book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson and music and lyrics by Carol Hall.

This happy-go-lucky view of small-town vice and statewide political side-stepping recounts the good times and the demise of the Chicken Ranch, known since the 1850s as one of the better pleasure palaces in all of Texas.

Governors, senators, mayors and even victorious college football teams frequent Miss Mona’s cozy bordello until that puritan nemesis Watchdog focuses his television cameras and this righteous indignation on the institution.

Directed by Tommy Jackson with musical direction by Darlene McCune, choreography by Leigh Anne Mason and sets by Don Vesterse, the band consists of Darlene McCune, Casey Gilbert, George Piazza, Bob Sizemore, Shawn Smith and Larry Buckley.

“The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” has a stellar cast that is eager to please. Starring as Miss Mona is Ginger Hyland and as Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd is Chris Cavette. Erika Johnson portrays Jewel with James Wesley Forde as Melvin P. Thorpe or Bulldog. The Governor is Bo Allen; Sen. Wingwoah is Mike Thomas and Laurie Williams is Doatsey May.

The rest of this talented cast portrays Miss Mona’s Girls, the Aggie Football Team and the good people of Lanville County, Texas. Many portray numerous roles in the ensemble production and they are Lou Ellen Stout, Hester Rose Brown, Leigh Anne Mason, Debbie Boykin, Althea Stewart, Janelle Williams, Danielle Thornton, Rachel Lindsay, Katie Sanderson, Don Vesterse, Trey Price, Stacey Carden, Darryl V. Grennell, Dwight Williams, Jason Dauphin, Holden Braswell, Moe LeBlanc, Eric Barbato and Zachary Robinson.

There will be a benefit preview performance for the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, for which tickets are $15.

Tickets remain for the 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening shows, Feb. 26 and 27 and for the 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, matinee and all tickets are $15.

Reservations are highly recommended due to advance ticket sales.

For reservations and information contact NLT at 601-442-2233; toll free at 1-877-440-2233; or online at www.natcheztheatre.org. So, as shocking as it may sound, I hope to see you at “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” at Natchez Little Theatre!

Natchez Little Theatre and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” are partially funded by the Mississippi Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts as well as local sponsors.

Layne Taylor is the artistic and executive director of the Natchez Little Theatre.