This is the last chance to see one of the beloved Musicals Tonight!’s productions. The company will take its final bow with its 100th revival and New York Premiere of the musical western Calamity Jane, which will play a limited engagement this Tuesday, March 13th through March 25th at the Lion Theatre at Theatre Row (410 West 42 Street). Mel Miller, founded Musicals Tonight! in 1998 with the mission to keep early musicals alive and affordable. Musicals Tonight! prides itself on the ability to bring back virtually- forgotten musicals for new audiences to discover and old audiences to rediscover.

Calamity Jane is based on the historical figure of the actual frontierswoman. The non-historical, and farcical plot involves the authentic Calamity Jane’s professional associate Wild Bill Hickok and their stormy relationship that ultimately proves to be a facade for mutually amorous feelings. Calamity Jane is directed by Devin Vogel with musical direction by Nevada Lozano.

The playing schedule for Calamity Jane is as follows: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with matinees on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2PM (March 13th through March 25th).

March is Women’s History Month. What better way to spend a few hours than with Calamity Jane, a real life frontierswoman and professional scout?  Presented by Musicals Tonight!, the musical Calamity Jane has a short run from March 13-25 at the Lion Theater. Born Martha Jane Cannary, Calamity Jane dressed in men’s clothes and brandished a gun. Her reputation outlived her, spawning several movies and shows. The 1953 movie musical Calamity Jane starred Doris Day and later inspired a stage musical in 1961. Both works focus on a fictional romance between Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok. The stage musical takes liberties with real history and is formulaic: girl and boy have contentious relationship but, by the end, realize their true feelings for one another. In a typical old-fashioned ending, Calamity Jane ends with not one but three weddings. The dialogue is hokey but one must recall the time period in which it was written. Some of the songs, with music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Paul Francis Webster are lovely (such as the award-winning “Secret Love”) while others like “I Can Do Without You” and “Men!” are quite clever. The Lion Theatre is small, making the cast of 16 seem overcro …Read more