"Welcome to a walk through history" Buffalo Bill Cody sings in the
opening scene of this rollicking musical about the renowned touring
show which featured such famous western heroes as Wild Bill Hickock,
Calamity Jane, Annie Oakley, and Sitting Bull. From 1883 to 1910 the
Wild West Show toured the eastern United States, and also toured Europe
in 1887 and 1891, where it was a favorite of European royalty. This is
also the story of a town in Virginia which is visited by the Show, a
young man who wants to become a famous trick rider, the young girl who
loves him, the town’s mayor (who has a few shady secrets), and the
N.A.G.S. (Neighbors Against Gross Savagery) who protest the show- all
in a seamless mix of entertaining fiction and historical accuracy.
Finally, it’s a story about dreamers and lost dreams. The "show" within
a show features cowboys, "Indians", clowns, saloon dancers, rope
twirling, shoot-outs, singing cowgirls, and the bombastic Buffalo Bill
himself. The songs are a mix of styles from old timey western to
classic Broadway balladry. The cast includes many fun cameos and can be
modified for as few as 30 or as many as 70 or more. There is a single
uncomplicated set that can be decorated in various ways.
