Directed by Jack Dyville
Calamity Jane is a "Wild West"-themed musical adapted from the film version of the same name. It is (very) loosely based on the life of Wild West heroine Calamity Jane and explores an alleged romance between Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok in the American Old West.
The movie, released in 1953, has many characteristics of other musicals of the same era. It was devised by Warner Brothers in response to the success of Annie Get Your Gun. The film starred Doris Day as the title character and Howard Keel as Hickok.
Although it originated in Hollywood, the songs and screenplay form the basis of the stage musical which has had a number of productions - most of which seem to have been in England.
Though the film portrays Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok as lovers, it is unclear whether that was the case in real life. The pair were friends, but many historians have disputed Calamity Jane's claims that she and Hickok were romantically involved.
The score, with music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Paul Francis Webster, includes such classic songs as:
"The Black Hills of Dakota"
"The Deadwood Stage"
"I Can do Without You"
"It's Harry I'm Planning to Marry"
"My Heart is Higher than a Hawk"
"Secret Love" (winner of Academy Award for best song in a movie, 1953), which topped the Billboard and Cash Box musical charts at number one.
"Windy City"
The music was included in an album of the same name, though some of the songs from the album were re-recorded rather than taken from the soundtrack.
CAST
Calamity Jane |
Ann Ronning |
Wild Bill Hickock |
J.C. LaBar |
Lt. Danny Gilmartin |
Steve Lang |
Katie Brown |
Susan Sinclair |
Henry Miller |
Ted Lindseth |
Susan Miller |
Kim Bryson |
Francis Fryer |
Eric Pozgay |
Adelaid Adams |
Bre Edwards |
Prospector |
B. Michael Quale |
Doc Pierce |
Russell Larson |
Joe |
Matt Rolfson |
Hank |
Thomas Oxendal |
Rattlesnake |
Brent Huber |
Sign Girl |
LeeAnn Clark |
Townswomen |
Kim Cothran, Allison Irgens, Kristi Marshall, Brittany Palmer |
CREW
Director/Choreographer |
Jack Dyville |
Vocal Director |
Ted Lindseth |
Accompanist |
Joy Lunzman |
Assistant to the Director/Stage Manager |
LeeAnn Clark |
Set Design |
B. Michael Quale |
Technical Director |
B. Michael Quale |
Stage Crew |
Jim Ryen, Kevin Duttenhefner |
Set Construction |
LeeAnn Clark, Kim Cothran, Mary Jo Harstad, Steve Lang, Russell Larson, Matt Olson, Tom Oxendal, Dave Richter, Rachel Richter, Matt Rolfson, Ann Ronning |
Scenic Painter |
Kevin Duttenhefner |
Costumes |
B. Michael Quale, Oral Johnson, Mary Alice Oyloe |
Hat Construction |
Ardis Jacobson |
Sewing Assistants |
Mary Chartier, Beth Johnsrud, Ann Ronning |
Sound Tehnician |
Heidi Ryen |
Lighting Technician |
Jack Dyville |