Wyoming 1879 Poster

Wyoming 1879

Engaging Historical Drama. 3F/3M. PG13.


Licensing and scripts available from Inventive Talent: [email protected]

Download Excerpt


Synopsis

Claire, a young school teacher in frontier Wyoming, seeks revenge after the notorious outlaws, George “Big Nose” Parrot and “Dutch Charlie” Burris, murder her fiancé. Her decisions are shaped by three suitors who have very different world views. Lillian, a precocious teenager, helps Claire consider the propriety of the suitors and guides her through the turbulent political climate in Rawlins. Fannie, a local barmaid, provides a means for Claire to exact revenge. The western frontier is a dangerous place, and the way Claire chooses to deal with violence, revenge, and romance has profound consequences.

Cast

CLAIRE ROUSEAU Female. White. 20. A schoolteacher.
TOMMY GILLY Male. White. 21. A hostler who owns and manages a horse stable.
LILLIAN HEATH Female. White. 13. Former student of Claire and aspiring physician.
FANNIE BROWN Female. Black. 20. A barmaid.
JESSE MILLER Male. White. 28. A druggist and fledgling scientist.
WILLIE CONWAY Male. White. 32. A Bible-thumping preacher and widower.
TIP VINCENT A Union Pacific detective. Doubled with Jesse Miller.
BOB WIDDOWFIELD A Carbon County deputy sheriff. Doubled with Willie Conway.


Production History

January 2025 Streamed Reading, Chicago Dramatists, Chicago, Illinois


Commentary from Theatregoers and Readers

A suspenseful and gripping saga of murder and revenge in the Old West!
Populated with distinctive, compelling, and vividly drawn characters, this narrative gains additional heft from its philosophical conflicts and its powerful moral ambiguities. I am in awe of this play's world building and, again, the vividness of each and every character.
A grand and musing romance on loss and what it means to honor a loved one's memory. On the surface, a romantic yarn about good people trying to live right while the shadow of evil looms nearby. On a deeper level, the play is taking on the myth of justice in the American frontier of yore to ask enduring questions: Can people take justice into their own hands and remain just? Or are they lying to themselves? Ruyle skillfully integrates much into a galloping plot.
A fascinating tale based on historical characters, and what a cast of characters it is! The outlaws Big Nose George Parrot and Dutch Charlie Burris. Claire’s grappling with thoughts of revenge takes center stage, but Lillian and Tommy might just steal the show. Engaging. Thought-provoking. Brilliant!