The Tale

There once was a fiery, gun-toting western character known as “CALAMITY JANE”. She could ride with the best of them and outshoot most of them.  Rumor has it that she was married to “WILD BILL HICKOCK”, a legend himself in the Dakota Territory of the 1870s.  This musical is just one page out of their history.  Deadwood is loaded with miners, cowboys all lonesome for female companionship. But not just any woman will do, it has to be the girl of their dreams “ADALAIDE ADAMS”.  Calamity promises to bring her from Chicago on a bet.  In a comical romp, mistakes are made and she almost kidnaps Adelaide ’s maid “KATIE BROWN”, who tries to get away with impersonating Adelaide , only to be unmasked by one eastern dude “FRANCIS FRYER”.  Francis has his own problems as he was hired as a female entertainer, “FRANCES”.  He tries desperately to carry off the woman’s role.  There is a rollicking stage coach, the usual Indians and quick triggered cowboys.  The west comes alive in a way not seen on the stage before.  On the silver screen Doris Day romped through the comedy scenes and whooped it up in song.  The Golden Garter Saloon is the main setting where the citizens of Deadwood gather.

 The Musical Score

            The best known number in the score is “MY SECRET LOVE”, but the melodic full chorus number “THE BLACK HILLS OF DAKOTA” will leave you humming along.  The rousing “DEADWOOD STAGE”, “WINDY CITY” and “HIGHER THAN A HAWK”, are coupled with the tender “I LOVE YOU DEARLY”, and “A WOMAN’S TOUCH”.  From the vaudeville stage of that era are “TIS HARRY I’M PLANNING TO MARRY”, “A HIVE FULL OF HONEY” and “KEEP IT UNDER YOUR HAT”.

The Directors

Stage Director - Mr. Barry Snider
Music Director - Mrs. Faye Bean
Choreographer - Ms. Cathy Hirons-Fyke
President - Mrs. Sue Pittman

 The Cast

 The cast number 45 singers and dancers

And Co-Starring BARBIE GOSS as “Susan Miller”; DEREK CAMPAGNA as “Francis Fryer”. JOHN WATSON as “Henry Miller”.

Show Times

Live on stage in the Dr. E.C. Butcher Auditorium of Lakeshore Catholic High School, Janet St . Port Colborne (next to the Centennial Pool).  Opening night Saturday February 19^th at 8 pm, followed by a Sunday matinee at 2pm February 20^th.  There are six additional performances February 24, 26, 27 and March 4, 5, 6 2005.  All evening shows are 8 pm and Sunday matinees are are 2pm.

PRICE: $16.00 per person – ALL SEATS RESERVED

Our 60th Anniversary "SPECIAL" Performances

 Reserved Seating

For information or to order your reserved seats call: 
Port Colborne : 905-834-6939 (all day), 905-834-4800 (8:30am to 4:30pm), or 905-834-9318 (evenings)
Fort Erie 905-894-1103; Welland 905-734-3840; St. Catharines 905-938-9264; Niagara Falls 905-371-1487; Pelham 905-892-2658; Dunnville 905-774-4984; or toll free 1-877-299-4087.

Official ticket agency ROSSMANS CLOTHING ( Port Colborne ) 905-835-1173 (after February 12, 2005 for reserved seats)  

FEBRUARY 19^TH AND 20^TH PERFORMANCES ARE A PART OF THE “HORTONFEST” HELD ANNUALLY IN PORT COLBORNE .  ONE OF THE BEST WINTER WEEKENDS TO SPEND IN PORT COLBORNE !

Background Information

“CALAMITY JANE”, Broadway stage musical marks the 60^th Anniversary of the Society.  The musical support staff and cast are all volunteers, about 100 strong, lovers of the theatre but entirely amateur.  The stage talent comes from all over the Niagara Region.  When the stage dust is all settled proceeds above productions costs are donated to local charities or projects.  Founder and one of the sponsors of the Port Colborne Festival of the Arts; Blue Ribbon donor to the Toronto Sick Children’s Hospital.  High School Scholarships for 35 years.  Contributions to the Port Colborne General Hospital, pediatrics wing; Niagara Peninsula Children’s Centre (rehabilitation); Marine Rescue; Museum and Library; John Howard Society, just to mention a few of the projects the Society has loaned a helping hand to.

            The Society is the recipient of the first ever “ONTARIO OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD” from the Minister of Culture and Recreation in 1986.  It was selected from over 250 nominations.  In making the award the Jury cited the Society for “throughout its 40 years has managed to showcase local talent, keep ticket prices reasonable, and yet realize a profit, enabling them to fund other community projects” To our knowledge the Society is the only theatre group so honored in the Niagara Peninsula.

Community Partners

The Society says "THANK YOU" to community partners:
INCO METALS
CASCO
PORT COLBORNE HYDRO
CANADIAN TIRE FINANCIAL SERVICES
NIAGARA CREDIT UNION
DURWARD JONES BARKWELL & COMPANY
Who are each sponsoring a performance of "Calamity Jane"

Port Colborne Operatic Society Inc.
1945-2005
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