Overview
Synopsis
Welcome to the Wild West! In Deadwood, Calamity Jane can outrun and outshoot any man in town…except the infamous Wild Bill Hickok. When there is a mix-up at the local saloon-theatre, Calamity is determined to save the day. She travels to Chicago to bring the celebrated actress, Adelaide Adams, to perform in Deadwood. However, despite her best intentions, she actually returns with Adelaide Adams’ maid, Katie Brown, instead. When Katie confesses that she is not the star they were expecting, Calamity steps in once more to convince the local townsfolk to give Katie a chance. Katie soon wins the heart of every man in town, including Lieutenant Danny Gilmarten, the object of Calamity’s affections. Encouraged by Katie, Calamity sheds her tomboy persona and transforms into a beautiful woman at the local Fort ball. She soon sees that Katie and Danny are in love, but she overcomes her jealousy when she realizes that her heart actually belongs to Bill.
Show Information
- Music
- Sammy Fain
- Lyrics
- Paul Francis Webster
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Calamity Jane (1951 film)
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1961
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Deadwood, South Dakota, 1876
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen Characters, Large Cast
Context
In the UK and Europe, Calamity Jane is licensed by MTI Europe.
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
- Overture
- The Deadwood Stage - Calamity, Ensemble
- Careless With the Truth* - Calamity, Bill, Male Ensemble
- Adelaide* - Bill, Male Ensemble
- Everyone Complains About the Weather* - Fryer
- Men!* - Calamity
- Can-Can* - Dancers
- Hive Full of Honey - Fryer
- I Can Do Without You - Calamity, Bill
- It's Harry I'm Planning to Marry - Adelaide, Male Ensemble
- It’s Harry I’m Planning to Marry (Reprise) - Katie
- Adelaide (Reprise) - Male Ensemble
- Windy City - Calamity, Ensemble
- Keep it Under Your Hat - Katie
- Careless With the Truth (Reprise)* - Ensemble
Act Two
- Entr'acte
- A Woman's Touch - Calamity, Katie
- Higher Than a Hawk - Bill
- The Black Hills of Dakota - Ensemble
- The Black Hills of Dakota (Reprise) - Calamity, Katie, Bill, Danny, Ensemble
- Love You Dearly* - Katie, Danny
- Secret Love - Calamity, Bill
- Windy City (Reprise) - Ensemble
- Finale Ultimo
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher