Arizona (play)

Arizona

Playbill (1907)
Written by Augustus Thomas
Date premiered June 12, 1899
Place premiered Hamlin's Grand Opera House
Chicago, Illinois
Original language English
Subject Love
Genre Drama
Setting Arizona Territory, before the Spanish-American War

Arizona is a dramatic play written in 1899 by Augustus Thomas, and is noted for being one of his best.

Arizona tells the story of the affection between a young cavalry man and a rancher's daughter. The young cavalryman is accused of theft, forced to resign, and then accused of murder. Sub-plots include indiscretions of a young wife married to an older cavalry officer, a cavalry officer who will not support his illegitimate child, and the love between a vaquero and the daughter of a German cavalry sergeant.

The play opened in Chicago at Hamlin's Grand Opera House on June 12, 1899. With a cast led by Theodore Roberts,[1] sets and costumes designed by Frederic Remington,[2] and authentic characterization of the soldiers and citizens of Arizona Territory, it was received enthusiastically by the audience.[3] The Chicago opening also featured a young Lionel Barrymore in a minor role as Lieutenant Young of the Eleventh Cavalry.[1]

Contents

Characters

Setting

Time: Just before the war with Spain.

Place: Aravaipa Ranch, in the Aravaipa Valley near Fort Grant, Arizona.

Act I

Evening, the interior of the adobe courtyard of Canby's ranch house.

Act II

Midnight, drawing-room of Colonel Bonham's quarters at Fort Grant.

Act III

Two months later, dining room at Aravaipa Ranch.

Act IV

Twenty minutes later, the interior of the adobe courtyard of Canby's ranch house.

References

  1. ^ a b Thomas, Arizona, "The Original Cast".
  2. ^ New York Times, "New Theatrical Bills": "The scenery and dresses, designed by Frederic Remington, were elaborate."
  3. ^ New York Times, "New Theatrical Bills": "The first act received two curtain calls, the second three, the third five."

Bibliography