Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

In the middle of a howling snowstorm, a bus out of Kansas City pulls up at a small roadside diner. All roads are blocked, and the weary travelers on board have to take refuge in the diner until morning. Cherie, a nightclub singer, has the most to worry about. She's being pursued by "a young cowboy with all the romantic finesse of a rodeo bull." The belligerent cowhand is right behind her, ready to sling her over his shoulder and carry her, alive and kicking, all the way to Montana. As a counterpoint to the main romance, the proprietor of the cafe and the bus driver who have previously only spent time in passing, find time to develop a friendship of their own; a middle-age scholar comes to terms with himself; and a young girl who works in the cafe also gets her first taste of romance.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1955
Genres
Drama, Dark Comedy, Romance
Settings
Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
1950s, bus stop diner, Kansas
Cast Size
medium
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult, Early Teen Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Cherie

Lead

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Bo Decker

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Virgil Blessing

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Carl

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Elma Duckworth

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Grace

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Will Masters

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Dr. Gerald Lyman

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Songs

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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

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

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Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress