This musical was a smash Broadway hit in '78. The plot is based on the true story of a Texan TV muckraker named Marvin Zindler, who forces embarrassed politicians to close down the legendary La Grange brothel, in business since the 1800's The brothel, known to all as 'The Chicken Ranch' received its title letting poor farmers pay for their pleasure with poultry instead of cash! Saucy, raunchy and great fun, with take-home showstoppers to heart-wrenching tear-jerkers.
Sara Lark is a powerhouse in the whorehouse; striding over the production like a musical colossus in this low-budget production. The other stand-out star of the show is Dayle Hodge, whose tap-barn-dance-mash-up, with full male company, is a joy to behold. What could have been an ill-fated and lack-lustre production was elevated through a couple of focussed and committed performances. I just think that the stylistic choices and the ever-growing need to over-camp the very camp nature of the piece, ultimately made the elastic snap! This production needs rigour, fun, pathos, toe-tapping renditions of the upbeat numbers, and tear-jerking renderings of the soulful numbers. By playing the whole thing as a second rate burlesque romp, minimised the musical and the deep soul within. To Sara Lark and Dayle Hodge I would give four stars, to the production I would give two stars – I have therefore settled on three!
