Act I
In the wild and humorous Old West of Deadwood City, Dakota Territory, 1876, sharpshooter Calamity Jane dresses, rides, and shoots like a man. Still, Calamity attracts the romantic attention of dashing Lt. Danny Gilmartin and the famous Wild Bill Hickok. Fuss-budget Henry "Millie" Miller, owner of Deadwood's hotel/bar/theatre, nervously awaits the arrival of a lovely East coast actress named Frances Fryer, whom he has hired to headline his show. Henry's niece, Susan, assures him that Calamity will bring the stagecoach to town on time. Calamity arrives to much fanfare ("Deadwood Stage"). Bill and the men hope Francis will be as glamorous as the East Coast's most alluring star, Adelaid Adams ("Adelaid"), but Millie secretly discovers the "actress" has turned out to be a young man named "Francis" and not "Frances" ("Everyone Complains About The Weather"). Meanwhile, Calamity grows exasperated by everyone's obsession with the opposite sex ("Men!").
The show must go on, and Millie dresses Fryer as a woman. But when Fryer's wig falls off during the act ("A Hive Full of Honey"), the local characters rise in noisy anger. Calam restores order with her trusty pistol and promises that Millie, to make amends, will next feature Adelaid Adams herself. The men are overjoyed, but Will Bill, Lt. Danny, and Millie know full well that Adelaid Adams wouldn't be caught dead in Deadwood.
After a rip-roaring song-battle with her arch rival, Wild Bill ("I Can Do Without You"), Calam storms out and heads for Chicago. She watches Adelaid's show ("'Tis Harry I'm Panning to Marry") then slips backstage, where she mistakes Adelaid's maid, Katie Brown, for the great actress herself. Katie sees this misunderstanding as her big opportunity, so she and Calam stagecoach back to Deadwood, where Katie is greeted as the famed Adelaid Adams. Calam entertains the bar crowd with a colorful account of their experience in Chicago (“Just Blew In From The Windy City”).
That evening, Katie performs her act at the Golden Garter (Reprise: “‘Keep It Under Your Hat”), but when Fryer reveals her true identity, Katie breaks down and loses her way. Calam masterfully takes control of the audience and saves the day; Katie gives a show-stopping performance and wins the hearts of everyone in Deadwood, particularly those of Danny and Wild Bill.
Act II
Katie decides to stay in town and moves in with Calamity. Wild Bill watches them head off to their new home together, and it's clear he's in love ("Higher Than A Hawk"). Katie helps Calamity fix up her cabin ("A Woman's Touch") and they discuss their plans for the upcoming ball. Calamity had hoped to go with LT. Danny, but it's clear that Katie and Lt. Danny are in love ("Love You Dearly"). Unaware of the romance, Calam agrees to go with Wild Bill, hoping to dithc him and win Danny's heart.
The ball begins (“The Black Hills Of Dakota”) and Calam, dressed in Katie's finery, is the belle of the event. But her hour of triumph explodes when she finds Katie with Danny. In a fit of jealous anger she orders Katie to leave town, but Wild Bill corners her and forces her to confront her true feelings. Taking a hard look at herself, Calamity realizes that all along it was Bill and not Danny that she loved ("Secret Love").
The show closes joyously with all of Deadwood's citizens attending a double wedding: Calam to Wild Bill, and Katie to Lt. Danny Gilmartin ("Finale").
Principals
Calamity Jane: A young, scrappy sharpshooter of 23. Feisty, stubborn, and prone to telling tall tales, Calamity is also naive, vulnerable and immensely likable.
Wild Bill Hickock: Man of about 35, a handsome figure, professional gambler and ex-peace officer; in love with Calamity but doesn’t know it.
Lt. Danny Gilmartin: Young second lieutenant attached to nearby fort, tall, handsome, the man Calamity dreams about, but who falls in love with:
Katie Brown: A stage-struck young lady of considerable beauty and talent, who, posing as a famous actress, comes West and captures the affection of all men in Deadwood City.
Henry Miller ("Millie"): The erratic fuss-budget who owns and operates Deadwood’s Golden Garter, a hotel/bar/theatre. Millie’s about 50 and always but one jump ahead of a nervous breakdown.
Susan: The young, friendly and pretty niece of Miller who is in charge. She will fall in love with:
Francis Fryer: An Eastern song-and-dance man importer by Miller as an entertainer on the assumption that the “Francis” is a “Frances,” providing worrisome complications.
Adelaid Adams: The theatre star Katie impersonates. A beautiful but affected woman.
Supporting Roles
Rattlesnake: An old, bewhiskered, fossilized stagecoach driver.
“Doc” Pierce: Deadwood’s “improvised” doctor and undertaker — a poker-playing pal of Hickock’s.
Joe: Bartender at The Golden Garter.
Theatre Manager of The Bijou
Ensemble
Indians, prospectors, bullwhackers, bartenders, blacksmith, soldiers, officers, their wives, women of the town, merchants, teamsters, trappers, chorus girls, passersby in Chicago Street scene, etc.