Legendary frontierswoman; notorious daredevil; profane storyteller; unwomanly radical - CALAMITY JANE is one of the most immediately recognizable figures of the old American West. From the famous 1950s Doris Day movie musical to the HBO series Deadwood, the courageous individuality of Calamity Jane has delighted audiences for decades.
With a fierce disregard for gender expectations and cultural limitations that was centuries ahead of her time, there’s no better time to re-visit and re-examine this remarkable woman. This stripped-back, rough-and-ready reimagining shucks off the buckskin and brings a barrelful of dirt and grit to the classic musical.
Directed by Richard Carroll (Side Show), the production stars Virginia Gay (TV’s All Saints and Winners & Losers; Hayes Theatre Co’s High Society) as the magnetic, masculine heroine – joined by a ragtag band of acclaimed comedic actors and musicians who share all the other roles. Audiences will be immersed in the world of the Golden Garter Saloon – alive with whores, gamblers, and habitual jeopardy - and can expect an unruly and unpredictable ride.
Performed with piano and a grab bag of other instruments, this production injects a raucous spontaneity into the uniquely intimate Hayes Theatre Co. Featuring timeless standards such as ‘The Deadwood Stage’, ‘Just Blew In From The Windy City’ ‘Black Hills of Dakota’, and ‘Secret Love’, this new main-stage production was inspired by the sold-out Neglected Musicals presentation of ‘Calamity Jane’ starring Virginia Gay in August 2016. Table seating is available for this production. Immerse yourself in the onstage world of the Wild West, and be a part of the action!
Adapted by Ronald Hanmer and Phil Park
From the stage play by Charles K. Freeman
A Warner Bros. film written by James O’Hanlon
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Music by Sammy Fain
This production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International Australasia Pty Ltd on behalf of MTI Europe
