Make Me A Cowboy

MISS NELLIE “WHISKEY” LOOMIS: in her 40’s or 50’s: headstrong and determined, yet NOT overt. She doesn’t need a lot of attention. She is a pioneer woman: runs a saloon and is Tommy’s mother. She has always felt close to Big Frank, would like to be closer.

ALISTAIR P. DOOLIN: 50ish: well-dressed, well-spoken, well-educated and out of place in the rugged west. He is a society man: sophisticated: from St Louis. This is a business venture for him, but his heart can’t help but be in it. He is Big Frank’s brother.

H.L. BUTTERFIELD: in his 40’s: the cook at the Jumpin’ J ranch: an overall handyman, jack of all trades kind of guy. The real deal cowboy.

DANDY GARCIA: 20’s to early 40’s:  a pristine cowboy from the Jumpin J ranch, others may seem him as fairer or weaker than your stereotypical cowboy. He is not rugged: a “metrosexual” of the times. He is self absorbed, yet loves Annie. He is from El Paso, Texas and can be Hispanic with a slight Mexican dialect (this is optional, depending upon casting options).

TOMMY LOOMIS: 20’s: a down to earth cowboy from the Jumpin J ranch: overall good guy, hard worker, wants to be brave enough to call things as he sees it. He and Annie grew up together, almost like siblings. He is very protective of her.

KNUCKLES: 20’s: not the brightest bulb, but in his simplicity there is honesty: he is very genuine and lovable: a cowboy from the Jumpin J ranch.

He may come across “slow,” but he doesn’t speak slowly, just simply.

ANNIE DOOLIN: 20’s:  daughter of Big Frank, just returned from finishing school, a real cowgirl: tough, but kind. Can turn on and off lady-like charms as needed.

PLAYWRIGHTS NOTE

Make Me A Cowboy, could be a true story. Many aspects of the play are based on true happenings. The play presents the “Grand Opening” (to the public anyway) celebration of the Jumpin J Ranch. This is done with songs and stories about the cowboy way of life. The guests (the audience) have been brought to the Jumpin J ranch to experience this lifestyle, for a fee.

Make Me A Cowboy, uses traditional cowboy songs and the actors must be able to sing and play the music themselves. The instrumentation can be; piano, guitar, string bass, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, and accordion.  Instrumentation can be modified, depending on the actors’ skills.

 Make Me A Cowboy,is a presentational play. The 4^th wall is encouraged to be broken. It is basically a play within a play. It is definitely an ensemble piece. Every actor has time to be in the “spotlight’ throughout the play.