'Best Little Whorehouse' to open in Shelburne

Now don't you be getting those shorts in a knot, there's nothin' dirty goin' on.

Get ready to kick this summer off, as the evenings in Shelburne are going to be heating up, when Taylor Wilson's production of The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas arrives.

Based on a story by Larry L. King, it's produced and directed by Taylor Wilson, with music and lyrics by Carol Hall.

The play will be performed live on stage at the Grace Tipling Concert Hall, downtown Shelburne.

The musical was originally staged on Broadway in 1978 (as well a film starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds), and dramatizes the real-life story of a legendary house of ill-repute, The Chicken Ranch that remained open for many years until the governor orders the local sheriff to shut it down.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a rip-roaring, high-octane, and rather daring production. Join Miss Mona and her girls as they take on the establishment!

For this production Wilson has brought together some wonderfully talented up-and-coming artists, all of whom are theatre, dance, music graduates of Sheridan College's Musical Theatre Program, Ryerson Theatre and Dance departments, University of Toronto and York University.

The cast and crew will present the two-week run starting June 21.

Wilson is a native of Shelburne, and was a member of Theatre Orangeville's Young Company (1995- 1999). Taylor was a recipient of a Dufferin Arts Council Scholarship. He studied at York University, where he worked towards a BFA in Theatre Production and Design. He has worked in theatre in various capacities, from performer to composer and writer to stage manager to production manager, in Toronto and throughout Muskoka. Taylor appeared in his own award winning production The Monster Under My Bed at the Toronto Fringe Festival and then took it on tour.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is Taylor's first work with such a large-scale production both as producer and director. He is excited to be bringing this musical to his home town and thanks the Town of Shelburne for their enthusiasm and support.

Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday June 21, 22, 23 and June 28, 29, 30, 7 p.m.,with a June 23 2 p.m. matinee. As well, for those who dare, a rather exciting midnight performance is planned for June 29. Tickets are available through Theatre Orangeville's box office (87 Broadway) or by calling 519-942-3423. Tickets are $22 for adults, $17 for seniors and students.