Calamity Jane - Synopsis

Act 1

It is 1876 and the pioneering community of Deadwood City, South Dakota gathers in the Golden Garter Saloon, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Calamity Jane with the Stagecoach bringing supplies ('The Deadwood Stage', 'Careless With The Truth'). Proprietor Henry Miller becomes anxious when the actress he has booked is not on board. All the men buy cigarettes in the hope of finding the card with the famous vaudeville star Adelaide Adams inside their packet ('Adeilaide'). Notorious sharpshooting gambler Wild Bill Hickock shows a disgusted Calamity his picture of Adelaide and teases her about her passion for Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin of the nearby fort.

Nervous Francis Fryer enters and it transpires that Miller's actress is, in fact, not Frances but Francis Fryer. After a demonstration of Fryer's musical talents ('Ev'ryone Complains About The Weather'), Miller rushes him upstairs in secret, afraid of being lynched by the mob for his mistake.

Army scouts Hank and Pete arrive and collapse - they have been victims of an Indian attack. When Calamity discovers that Danny was also attacked, she rushes out to fetch him and doctor him, much to his embarrassment and Wild Bill's amusement ('Men!').

Miller announces the evening's entertainment - the Can Can followed by the lovely Miss Frances Fryer (Prepared for her act by Miller's attentive niece, Susan) ('Hive Full of Honey'). When the unfortunate Fryer's wig comes off, the crowd turns nasty. To Miller's dismay, in an attempt to help him, Calamity promises them Adelaide Adams and sets off for Chicago to fetch her ('I Can Do Without You').

In Chicago, Adelaide Adams performs her act ('It's Harry I'm Planning to Marry'). Her maid Katie Brown dreams of being a star, but scornful Adelaide only laughs. She is off to Europe, and in a belittling gesture she presents Katie with her old costumes. Calamity enters, mistaking Katie for Adelaide. Katie seizes this chance to become a star and accompanies Calamity back to Deadwood.

An amazed Deadwood welcomes Adelaide Adams, congratulating a jealous Calamity ('Windy City'). Only Fryer realises the fraud, until Katie's first performance, when it becomes clear to everyone ('Keep It Under Your Hat'). Calamity persuades the crowd to give Katie a chance and Act 1 ends with Katie repalcing Calamity centre stage as Deadwood's favourite female.

Act 2

Katie has moved in with Calamity and has performed a makeover on Calamity, as well as her cabin ('A Woman's Touch'). Wild Bill and Danny both turn up to invite Katie to the forthcoming ball at Fort Scully ('Higher Than a Hawk'). They draw straws for the privilege. Calamity, thinking both men have called for her, shames Danny by asking him to do her a favour and take Katie to the ball instead, much to Bill's admiration.

The whole of Deadwood turns out for the ball ('The Black Hills of Dakota'). Calamity overhears Danny declaring his love for Katie ('Love You Dearly') - she rushes for her gun and threatens Katie to make her leave by the next Stagecoach ('Finaletto'). Wild Bill takes charge of Calamity, hurrying her out. On the way home Bill forces Calamity to listen to some home truths. As he does so, both realise that they really care for each other ('My Secret Love').

When a furious Danny meets them with the letter left by Katie as she departed, Calamity vows to catch up with the Stage and bring Katie back.

All ends happily with Wedding celebrations at the Golden Garter and drinks on the house! ('Finale').

(Click on the image to return to the Calamity Jane web page.)