Happyville is a happy comedy of 2 acts that may be presented either as a 35-40 minute one-act play (simply by omitting the intermission), or as a full evening's entertainment. It is assumed that, in the latter case, the producer will add square dancing, country-and-western songs, and other types of songs and dances to lengthen the show. Play the play with tongue in cheek. Your production should have the fun and cartoon-like quality of a first-rate comic strip.

Happyville is unhappy. A menace named Shootin' Sam gets his thrills by blasting the hot desert air with his sixshooter. And nobody is brave enough to take the job of town marshal. Then along comes a pretty hillbilly sharpshooter named Hawkeye Hannah, who'd like to "catch a feller." When the citizens tell her of Happyville's problem, she promises to save the town and rid the street of the villainous Shootin' Sam...But when she sees Sam, her heart melts, for he's a gorgeous hunk of man...So...what does Hannah do? If she keeps her promise to the townsfolk, she'll lose all chance of capturing Sam's heart. But a promise is a promise. Oh, woe!

Happyville is one of those rare plays that delight every type of audience. Prior to publication it was well tested by both professionals and amateurs for audiences of all ages. Originally titled "Away Out West," it was produced by the American Academy of Dramatic Arts as a summer stock venture at the Cape Cod Playhouse. The play was so successful, the Academy repeated the venture three years later. It was presented as children's theatre by New York City's 13th Street Theatre, where it ran for two and a half years. The producer also sent out a troupe to tour New York colleges and churches. CUE Magazine called it "an excellent production...a comedy spoof of westerns."

Other Caruso plays: Adam's Diary, The Phantom of the Old Opera House

See also: Choose Your Own Music Musicals