Anyone familiar to the Drama department knew that choosing “Deadwood Dick” as both the fall play and show Cappies critics would review for award consideration was risky. The melodramatic farce is much different than last year’s main stages: “Rumors” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” However, due to the hard work of the Publicity Crew Chiefs (Will Salwen ’17, Hunter Slingbaum ’18 and Liv Wisnewski ’17), the Madison community eagerly anticipated opening night on Nov. 10.

“Publicity for this show was hard because none of us knew what to expect, and we weren’t sure how to draw an audience,” Wisnewski said. “Once we read the show and knew what we liked about it, we were able to put together a fun campaign to draw attention.”

The story is set in the Dakota Territory of Deadwood Gulch during the Gold Rush Days and is split up into three acts. It begins with a miner, Max Jackson (’18), who broke out last year as Ken Gorman in “Rumors”, strumming on a guitar to set the scene. After the ensemble finishes their melody, we are introduced to one of the leading ladies and owner of the “Man-Trap Saloon”, Calamity Jane, who is played by Wisnewski, another familiar face from “Rumors.”

“I’m really, really grateful to be playing Calamity Jane because when I first looked at the premise of the show, I knew I did not want to be any other character,” Wisnewski said. “She is an awesome person to step into for a while. She takes charge and is confident. She knows what she wants and will not let anyone stand in her way. She is essentially universally respected in Deadwood Gulch. I see a lot of her in myself. It was also very cool to find out she was a real person. I have not had time to research her yet, but I will. All I know is that I hope she would be proud and that I am doing her justice.”

At the request of director and drama teacher, Marshall Henderson (pun intended), the audience was invited to throw popcorn at the villain dressed in all black. Ryaan Farhadi’s (’19) Blackman Redburn proves to be such, entering the stage whipping Calamity Jane’s Russian cook, Vassili, who is portrayed by Michelle Uchitel (’17).

“Working on this show was such a fun experience. I was so happy to be able to play Black’n Red, and I loved this role,” Farhadi said. “Being an underclassman [who plays an important character] is something I am so happy to get to do. This specific role was so unique. It was fun to be able to work with it and see how it plays out onstage as a whole.”

“Theater is a life changing experience. To work with a group of people for hours every single day for weeks is something that builds relationships that never go away,” Uchitel said. “We have been working on Deadwood Dick for almost two months, and the cast is close. That is an incredible experience.”

Calamity also has a bartender, Chet Pussy (Kaz Johnstone ’17), and a pianist, Piano Annie (Meaghan Yesford ’17), under her service. Playgoers cheer at the entrance of the hero, Henro Kriel’s (’19) Ned Harris, and his sidekick, Carson Casper’s (’17) Wild Bill Hickok.

“The show, up until opening night, was a blast. Everyone was so welcoming and closely knit, and, although cliché, it felt like a family,” Kriel said. “You get a feeling of intense belonging. The experience of opening night was thrilling. The audience fueled the actors with their feedback: the awes, the cheers and even the boos. There is no better feeling in the world.”

Via the entrance of Judge Nix (Josh Laney ’17), everyone inside Calamity’s saloon learns that a criminal, Deadwood Dick, abducted a girl named Rose Blossom (Maille-Rose Smith ’17), whose blind sister, Lily Blossom (Justice Allen ’17), is brought inside. Once the judge reveals that Deadwood Dick has a white scar across his knuckles, Hickok becomes doubtful of his partner’s true identity.

Throughout the show, we meet many colorful characters such as a married couple, Molly Loveless (Gabrielle Jawer ’17) and Sheriff Loveless (Will Salwen ’17), and another miner (Tony Sabia ’17). Molly confides in Calamity to keep a long held secret, and the Sheriff works to track down the mysterious Deadwood Dick. Newcomer Kristiana Qerosi (’18), who is an exchange student from Italy, shines as La Paloma, an adventuress after Blackburn’s heart.

Kelly Brents (’17) is a highlight in the show as Teetotal Tessie, a Temperance crusader who runs into the saloon to preach the abolishment of alcohol along with her hatcheteers (Alli Lambson ’17, Charlotte Reed ’18 and Hunter Slingbaum ’18). The miners, saloon girls and cowboys also perform excellently during the acts and the two intermissions, which is thanks to the commitment of the Co-Choreographers (Gracie Feuchter ’18 and Zoe Winter ’18) and

Dance Captains (Heather Colbert ’19, Anna Henderson ’19 and Nick Ruszkowski ’19).

“Deadwood Dick” presents itself as a unique western drama; the costuming and makeup are not to be missed. The Costume Crew Chiefs (Claire Ashby ’19 and Bailey Bane ’18) and Hair and Makeup Crew Chiefs (Rachel Lansdell ’17 and Ilana May ’17) knocked it out of the park.

“This has been an amazing experience. It is such a unique show with an entertaining plot,” Ashby said. “Helping with costumes and being in the show was challenging, yet such a great experience. I got to know so many people through costuming who I did not act with onstage and made so many good friendships along the way.”

“The show was super interesting in terms of hair and makeup because [Ilana and I had] to do messy hair and casual makeup, but still make it look clean and professional,” Lansdell said. “Also there were a lot of special cases such as old age makeup and facial hair.”

The Paint Crew Chief (Faith Carlson ’17), Properties Crew Chiefs (Brents, Jackson and William Kegley ’17) and Set Crew Chiefs (Carlson and Kegley) created a beautiful set that immediately catches the eye. The Deck Crew Chief (Rachael Mah ’17), House Crew Chiefs (Allen and Yesford), Playbills and T-Shirts Crew Chief (Neal Going ’17) and Stage Managers (Leah Glicker ’18 and Melanie Tse ’17) made sure things ran smoothly prior to the curtain opening and throughout the performance as a whole.

“I like building sets and I want to do technical theater professionally,” Kegley said. “I am good at what I do, even though it is hard work. My inspiration for the ‘Deadwood Dick’ set came from the ‘Rumors’ set from last fall.”

The Lights Crew Chief (Laney) and Sound Crew Chief (Chad Robertson ’17) were essential to the process. Several sound effects and light changes deemed necessary to the storyline. In melodramatic fashion, certain situations called for sad or cheerful music.

Additionally, the cast and crew feature a strong lineup of seniors who dedicated their time to rehearsals, tech Saturdays and, for some, their duties as crew chiefs. The Drama department is proud of the final product and welcomes everyone into the theater. Madison students, teachers and faculty are encouraged to come see the production tonight at 7:30, tomorrow at 2:30 or tomorrow at 7:30; tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

“[Deadwood Dick] was entertaining, funny and I enjoyed how interactive it was,” audience member Jack Stipe (’19) said. “I would rate it ten out of ten stars.”