ROADSIDE Musical in 2 Acts: Book by: Tom Jones; Lyrics by: Tom Jones; Music by: Harvey Schmidt Based on the play by Lynn Riggs York Theatre Company, Off-Broadway - Opened November 29, 2001 Ran for one month SYNOPSIS Ever want to meet the folk who shaped the American West? The brave bunch that packed up their family, hopped in their covered wagons and headed for the open road, ready to face the unknown. Join Uncle Billy and his traveling tent show on an adventure into the old Wild West! ROADSIDE is filled with the characters that have shaped our fantasies of these saddle-sore American pioneers. Pap Raider, having lost his wife, only wants the best for his beautiful, fiery daughter, Hannie; will it be the farmer, Buzzey, who’s been following their wagon on foot for months, begging for her hand? Or will it be Texas, the larger-than-life, ornery cowboy on the run from the law? STORY ACT I We open upon an old-fashioned travelling tent show. Uncle Billy commands the stage and prepare us for the impending story, a tale of the old west. He introduces himself and the cast: Hannie, a beautiful young woman who plays his daughter; The Marshal who represents the Law; Amos K. “Buzzey” Hale, hopelessly in love with Hannie; Red Ike and Black Ike, the county comics; Neb and Miz Foster, the stern citizens of Verdigree. (“Uncle Billy’s Travelling Show”) Uncle Billy then assumes the role of Pap, Hannie’s father, mounts a covered wagon and drives his horses on the road heading West (“Roadside”). Buzzey has been following their wagon on foot in hopes of getting Hannie to marry him. When Pap leaves to steal oats from the neighbors for his horses, Buzzey tries to woo Hannie to come live on his farm. She does long for a life off the road; however, she also longs for a husband other than Buzzey (“Here I am”). Buzzey again begs her to marry him. Just as she is about to answer, they are interrupted by the Ikes and Pap. The Ikes heatedly tell the story of a crazy, big cowboy named Texas who beat up a judge and broke out of jail in the nearby town of Verdigree. Texas arrives and everyone finds a place in the campsite to hide (“I Don’t Want To Bother Nobody”). Despite Texas’ reputation, Texas and Pap find a kindship. Hannie reappears from the wagon primped, pretty and ready to catch Texas’ eye. Pap makes sure that Texas and Hannie are alone. She flirts with him (“Smellagoody Perfume”) as Buzzey reenters to try to distract their courtship with little success. Texas boasts about his fighting prowess and Pap reenters to ask if Texas will stay for the night. He will. Hannie and Pap exit and Texas calls for the Ikes to keep a lookout for the Verdigree Marshall who is still after him. All settle down for the night (“Looking At The Moon”) with Pap, Texas and the Ikes on the ground around the campfire. Morning comes with Buzzey and the Marshall arriving to arrest Texas, Pap and the Ikes. Hannie tries to incite Texas into action. All the hung-over Texas can do it heave into a stewpot. Hannie claims he’s not the big man he boasted to be and she wants nothing to do with him anymore. He claims to be equally disillusioned with her ( “I’mThrough With You”). That makes Hannie so mad, she considers marrying Buzzey. Texas is arrested. As the Marshall brings the defeated Texas into Verdigree, his deputy, Neb, and Miz Foster celebrate Texas’ re-capture (“Peaceful Little Town”). In the courtroom the Marshall and the judge try to convince Texas that he should settle down; the West is no longer wild and nor should he be. Texas is close
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