Overview
Synopsis
When meek Bess Johnson and bold Macon Hill meet at a stage-coach stop in Wyoming Territory, they are united by their common purpose. Both mail-order brides, they have come West across the states during the era of expansion, looking for love and adventure, trusting in the abundance of life to shower them with both. The road to happiness is barred when Macon is paired with stolid, one-eyed Will Curtis, and Bess’ handsome new husband, Jack, turns out to be a cruel and neglectful man. The friendship of these two women is tested sorely over 25 years of fires, snowstorms, Indian kidnappings and extramarital affairs, Beth Henley’s rich, distinctive language is both plain-spoken and poetic, and the story of Bess and Macon is epic, yet intimate, full of shocking cruelty and sudden beauty.
Show Information
- Book
- Beth Henley
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1989
- Genres
- Drama, Dark Comedy
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- late 1860s - early 1890s, wyoming territory, st. louis, missouri
- Cast Size
- small
- Licensor
- Dramatists Play Service
- Ideal For
- college / university theatre, community theatre, professional / regional theatre, small cast, adult cast, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
Songs
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:
