Full Synopsis
Act One
In the midst of the California Gold Rush, a widowed miner, Ben Rumson, and his 16-year-old daughter, Jennifer, discover gold dust. Ben lays claim to the land and soon scores of fortune-seeking prospectors arrive to Rumson ("I'm On My Way"). Soon the entire male population, except Jennifer, reaches 400 and the prospectors plan to send for Cherry and her Fandango Girls ("Rumson").
Jennifer wonders "What's Going On Here?" when a handsome Mexican miner, Julio, arrives from just outside of town and the two connect ("I Talk To Trees"). The prospectors pontificate their wandering lifestyle ("They Call The Wind Maria").
Ben wishes his wife were alive during these tumultous times ("I Still See Elisa") as the all-male population pressures Ben to send Jennifer away. Ben decides to send her east when he discovers her love for Julio ("How Can I Wait?"). A Mormon newcomer, Jacob Woodling, arrives and the prospectors immediately pressure him into bidding one of his two wives, Sarah and Elizabeth ("Trio"). Surprisingly, Ben finds himself attracted to Elizabeth ("In Between"), and bids the highest ("Whoop-Ti-Yay"). A devastated Jennifer is appalled by her father and runs away, promising to reunite with Julio in a year ("Carino Mio"). Cherry and her Fandango Girls arrive to Rumson ("There's A Coach A Comin' In"). Julio discovers his mining is running dry, and must move on from Rumson.
Act Two
A year passes, and now that the Fandango Girls have arrived, the prospectors of Rumson celebrate ("Hand Me Down That Can o' Beans"). Ben is unaware of other miners interest in Elizabeth, and Julio considers investigating a lake rumoured to have gold dust at the bottom ("Another Autumn"). A freshly educated Jennifer returns to Rumson ("All For Him"). Ben explains to Jennifer his desire to move on from Rumson ("Wandrin' Star"). Jennifer learns from the departing Fandango girls of Julio's plan to search for new gold and Elizabeth runs off with another miner, leaving Ben alone.
News of a new strike reaches Rumson and the prospectors pack up and leave. All that remain are Jennifer, waiting for Julio, and Ben, who understands that Rumson is indeed the place for him. Months pass, and a haggard Julio returns to Rumson, surprised to find Jennifer still there. An ailing Ben welcomes him and he and Jennifer are reunited.
Show History
Inspiration
Paint Your Wagon is a Lerner and Loewe musical set in the midst of the California Gold Rush in the 1950s featuring am score true to the indigineous music.
Productions
The musical opened in November of 1951 at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway and ran for 289 performances.
A london production opened on the West End at Her Majesty's Theatre in 1953 and ran for 477 performances.
Various re-worked adaptations have been staged in recent years, including: Brentwood Theatre in Los Angeles, the Pioneer Theatre Company in Salt Lake City and as part of New York City Center's Encores! series in 2015.
Billing
- Book and Lyrics by
- Music by
Requirements
A Musical Play
(100%)
|
Book and Lyrics by
ALAN JAY LERNER
(75%)
|
Music by
FREDERICK LOEWE
(75%)
|
Included Materials
| Item | Quantity Included |
|---|---|
| LIBRETTO/VOCAL BOOK | 32 |
| PIANO CONDUCTOR'S SCORE ACT 1 | 2 |
| PIANO CONDUCTOR'S SCORE ACT 2 | 2 |
Production Resources
| Resource |
|---|
| HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS |
| HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON? |
| LOGO PACK DIGITAL |
| PRODUCTIONPRO-DIGITAL SCRIPT/SCORE |
| REFERENCE RECORDING |
| STAGE MANAGER SCRIPT |
| STAGE WRITE APPLICATION |
STANDARD ORCHESTRATION
| Instrumentation | Doubling |
|---|---|
| BASS | ACOUSTIC BASS |
| CELLO | (2 PLAYER MINIMUM) |
| GUITAR | BANJO , GUITAR |
| HORN | |
| HORN 3 | |
| PERCUSSION | BASS DRUM , BELLS , CASTANETS , COACH BELL , CYMBALS , GONG , POP GUN , SLAPSTICK , SNARE DRUM , TAMBOURINE , TEMPLE BLOCKS , TIMPANI , TOM TOM , TRIANGLE , WOOD BLOCK |
| REED 1 | ALTO SAXOPHONE , CLARINET , FLUTE , PICCOLO |
| REED 2 | ALTO SAXOPHONE , CLARINET |
| REED 3 | CLARINET , OBOE , TENOR SAXOPHONE |
| REED 4 | BASS CLARINET , CLARINET , TENOR SAXOPHONE |
| REED 5 | BARITONE SAXOPHONE , BASSOON , CLARINET |
| TROMBONE | |
| TROMBONE 2 | |
| TRUMPET | |
| TRUMPET 3 | |
| VIOLA | (2 PLAYER MINIMUM) , 1 DOUBLES MANDOLIN |
| VIOLIN | (4 PLAYER MINIMUM) |
| VIOLIN 2 | (2 PLAYER MINIMUM) |