Washington Post - Somewhat Recommended
"... Aside from a few vigorous dance interludes, courtesy of choreographer Karma Camp and her assistant, daughter Brianne, the evening is a tepid slog. The incidental plot, revolving around an effort by a sanctimonious television crusader (Christopher Bloch) to shut down the establishment of ill repute long run by Miss Mona (Sherri L. Edelen), doesn’t so much hurtle to a climax as trail off wispily. The uneven book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson shifts in Act 2 to a focus on the ho-hum details of the flirtation between Miss Mona and the town’s ornery though tolerant sheriff —in an authentically cantankerous turn by Thomas Adrian Simpson."
Baltimore Sun - Somewhat Recommended
"... Maybe it's just me, but a musical that must have seemed like good ol' saucy fun when it was new seems a bit tacky, even cringe-inducing, in places all these years later. Its thickly applied veneer of sentimentality and romanticism doesn't hold up all that sturdily."
Examiner - Recommended
"... Signature Theatre raises the curtains on the 2012/13 season by kickin’ up their collective (boot)heels; They’re starting with a lively, and surprisingly touching, adaptation of “The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas.”"
MetroWeekly - Somewhat Recommended
"... At best, you'll leave entertained at the whole spectacle, without much thought to larger, reality-TV import. At worst, you'll leave thinking about how much heavy lifting went into such a lighthearted, lightly revised romp, and what this might augur for a season also ushering in productions of relatively tried-and-true fare such as Dreamgirls,Hello, Dolly! and Company."
Talkin Broadway - Recommended
"...Edelen succeeds at being both earthy and majestic as Miss Mona: she captures the attention whenever she appears. Simpson is a charmer as a plain-talking lawman who has no problem with what he considers victimless crime; he also has a smooth baritone voice. Christopher Bloch squeezes every bit of ridiculous humor out of "watchdog" reporter Melvin T. Thorpe, who never goes anywhere without his singing and dancing entourage."
Washington City Paper - Highly Recommended
"... The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas has never been a great show—the songs are good, but not great, and the book is an ungainly hash that can’t decide where to put its focus. But the surprisingly affecting production that’s opening the Signature Theatre season, anchored by terrific performances in the key roles of a Texas madam and her good buddy the local sheriff, makes as good an election-year tonic as anything short of a politician getting getting pantsed at a podium."
DC Theater Arts - Highly Recommended
"... There’s trouble brewing at the chicken ranch! But Miss Mona and her girls promise that won’t ruin your good time as you come on down to Signature Theatre to see The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Directed by Eric Schaeffer with musical direction provided by Gabriel Mangiante this boot-scootin’ rootin’-tootin’ good time will have you stomping your foot along and cheering for the girls as they just try to have some good clean old fun down in Gilbert, Texas."
MD Theatre Guide - Highly Recommended
"... Signature Theatre is known for its world premieres and for having a long association with presenting Stephen Sondheim musicals. They are also known for presenting musicals that are not seen a whole lot anymore. Their latest offering, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, was a Tony Award winning musical that opened in 1978 and ran almost four years. It then was turned into a movie in which someone thought it was a good idea to have Burt Reynolds try to sing. This idea backfired miserably. I implore you MTG readers; if you have seen the movie, get it out of your mind and let Signature show you the proper way to watch this show. The production features the Tony Award winning Carol Hall score, a stellar cast, and knockout choreography."
DCTheatreScene - Highly Recommended
Good ole boys and good time gals are a match made in chicken-fried heaven in Signature Theatre’s racy and randy revival of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, the 1978 musical that combines putting out and politics (wait, aren’t they the same thing?), directed with Tabasco tang by artistic director Eric Schaeffer.
