Make Me A Cowboy

Webster Native’s Songs Debut July 9 In "Make Me A Cowboy"
Fran Ellison pens original music for brand new musical at Theatre Guild of Webster Groves

by Fran Mannino

July 03, 2009

"We need a cowboy love song."

Those words set theater veteran Fran Greco Ellison on a creative journey that culminates July 9, when "Make Me A Cowboy," a play featuring five of Ellison’s original songs, opens at the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves.

Ellison has long been a fan of "everything cowboy," even though she grew up far from the wild, wild west in suburban Webster Groves.

"When my sister and I were little, we loved cowboy stories," she said. "Kids programs in those days were all about cowboys. We had cowboy hats, and holsters with toy guns, and plastic horses. From day one I could see this play being performed."

Ellison wears many hats in her day-to-day life. She handles costumes for productions at The Muny and The Fox, and is also a certified teacher, working part-time as a tutor for the Parkway Special School District. This spring, she sewed costumes for the George Clooney feature film being shot in St. Louis.

Ellison’s desire to add songwriting to her list of accomplishments is a longstanding one, born out of her experiences in the theater.

"I started songwriting in 1999," she said. "It was something I really, really wanted to do. It’s not easy; you have to really work to be a songwriter."

Ellison’s first original song, "I Remember Christmas," won an Honor Award in 2004 from The Great American Song Contest.

She jumped at the chance to be a part of "Make Me A Cowboy" from the moment she heard playwright Don Bryant Bailey was looking for a songwriter.

"When I first spoke to Don I said, ‘I don’t know if I’m qualified, just let me try,’" said Ellison.

Bailey, a Maplewood resident, co-wrote the play with Shannon Bryant. Part of the ongoing process of getting their work to the stage was finding just the right songwriter.

Through a series of e-mails Bailey sent to theater professionals around the country, he finally hooked up with Ellison. The two met for coffee, where Bailey gave Ellison a copy of the script to take home.

"I was reading through it when I came to where he’s written, ‘We need a cowboy love song,’" said Ellison. "I put the script down, picked up a tablet and thought, ‘What would a cowboy love song be like?’"

Twenty-four hours later, she had her answer: the music and lyrics to the ballad "I’ll Never Be That Far From You."

"Make Me A Cowboy"

When the railroad came through the American west in the late 1880s, its ease of transportation for cattle put a lot of cowboys out of work. Ranchers did everything they could to stay afloat, including turning their land into dude ranches. That is the basis for the play "Make Me A Cowboy," conceived by Bailey as a "play within a play."

"I did a lot of research, so this is kind of based on fact," he said. "Basically the dude ranches came about with people losing their jobs."

"Make Me A Cowboy" has already been performed at the Gem Theatre in Claude, Texas, and will be performed by the Fontana Community Players in Fontana, Calif., in August. It premiered locally with Soundstage Productions in 2008.

Bailey said he tried to create some stereotypical cowboy characters to inhabit the fictional Jumpin’ J Ranch – like Knuckles, who moves "kinda’ slow;" and Dandy, a cowboy who doesn’t like to get dirty.

"The ranch owner and his wealthy banker brother turn the Jumpin’ J into a dude ranch," said Ellison. "They invite their guests – the audience – to come to the ranch."

Once there, the guests are treated to an "old-fashioned Western Jubilee."

Bailey took his inspiration for "Make Me A Cowboy" from a play he was associated with for years titled "Smoke on the Mountain."

"That’s a play about a family in the 1930s who sing gospel music," he said. "The people in the play actually play the instruments."

So, too, do the actors in "Make Me A Cowboy."

"Don felt the same kind of format could work to promote cowboy music," said Ellison. "There’s a small cast, and everybody plays an instrument."

The original score includes songs composed by Ellison, Jane Godfrey, and musical director Kevin Kurth. In addition, the play incorporates traditional cowboy music like "Oh Bury Me Not" and "By the Silvery Rio Grande."

"I think the music is very, very good," said Bailey. "We have a strong song in the first act, and "Deal Me In" opens the second act. Both these songs are very strong songs, and are tailored for the show."

The cast of the community theater production is made up of actors from all walks of life, said Ellison.

"We have a lawyer, a psychotherapist, a grade school teacher and an accountant with a Ph.d.," she said. "It’s a great mix and it’s great fun. The whole idea is meant to be fun, lighthearted, family entertainment."

Supporting Local Theater

The upcoming two-week run of "Make Me A Cowboy" is a fundraiser for the Theater Guild of Webster Groves.

The Guild, which was founded in 1927, is housed in a once-dilapidated home located near the corner of Newport and Summit.

"I used to walk past this theater on my way home from school," said Ellison. "It’s a thrill to have the play here."

Barb Mulligan, longtime Guild director, said the organization, "like the rest of the world," needs some money coming in.

"We’ve owned the building since 1951," she said. "Every once in awhile the city will say we have to do something to it. Right now we’re in pretty good shape, but we decided a fundraiser would be a good idea."

Opening day is nearly upon them, and the production is coming together nicely, said Mulligan, who directs "Make Me A Cowboy."

"This is the most G-rated show I’ve ever done. It’s good fun," she said. "We’ve got a great set designer in Chris Waller, and the music is darling. Fran got us some cowboy boots, and someone at the Guild had cowboy hats. Marci Franklin from The Rep is our costumer, and The Rep lent us some wonderful cowboy props. Everything’s just falling into place."

Bailey and his crew are happy to be getting their work in front of the kind of audience the Guild attracts.

"There’s a rich history in community theater around here," he said. "For me to see something I’m part of come to life in front of a set is unbelievable."

Performances of "Make Me A Cowboy" will be held July 9-12 and 16-19. Show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $12; $10 for seniors and students. The theater is located at 517 Theatre Lane.

"We’re going to have a barbecue on the last Sunday at 1 p.m.," said Mulligan. "Cost is $17 for the barbecue and the show; the show alone is $10 to $12."

The barbecue will be held on the theater’s patio, unless it is rainy or too hot, said Mulligan. Cast members will mingle with guests during the barbecue. Call 962-0876 for reservations.

For more information on the show, visit www.theaterguildwg.org or call 962-0876.

For additional information about the play and to listen to the music, visit www.makemeacowboy.org.

(Reprinted from The Webster Groves-Kirkwood Times/0

Coming this fall, "The Jumpin' J Christmas". All your favorite "Make Me A Cowboy" characters return for this holiday special.

The World Premiere Production at the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves 

 

Production of "Make Me A Cowboy - A New Western Musical Comedy" at the Gem Theatre, Claude, Texas

NEWS UPDATE

Coming this fall, "The Jumpin' J Christmas". All your favorites "Make Me A Cowboy" characters return for this holiday special.

Join in for more laughs and holiday spirit. Filled with new cowboy Christmas songs and the traditional standards.

MERRY YEEHAW CHRISTMAS!

We would like to announce the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves Webster Groves, MO production of Make Me A Cowboy - A New Western Musical Comedy

Hello Don, 

It is too bad you could not be here.  We were completely sold out, i.e. with eight more people than we had seats and then we had to turn three people away who didn't want standing room or chairs added. 

Quite a few children in the audience, but they seemed to enjoy the show as well as the adults. 

There were quite a few add ons, i.e. cowboy poets and singers performing before the show and following the intermission.  

By the way Craig Thomas who is in the picutre is the only male who is not a cowhand. 

So all in all it was a greaaaaaat evening as Tony the Tiger would say.  My best to
you. 

Happy Trails,

Roy Rutherford, Director of Programs

The Gem Theatre