Everybody who does Sal wants "another one just like it." So here it is.

Joe Septictanker has hayfever, and his doctor advises "Go west, young man!" And he does—to your town (no matter if your town isn't in the West; it's bound to be west of something). He finds sweet, pure, delicious air, a beautiful gal, and a treacherous villain—that wild kid of the Old West, Billy the Goat.

Ragweed Cowboy Joe was written especially for presentation by civic clubs, community theatres, and college and mature high school groups who enjoy the fun, the corn, and the hilarity of an old-fashioned melodrama. It was designed especially for groups who do not have time for the large number of rehearsals necessary to present most plays. Since most of the lines are read by the Announcer, very little memorization is involved. George Washington Swept Here, The Saga of Sagebrush Sal, The Shaky Tale of Doctor Jakey, and Ragweed Cowboy Joe are known as Quickie Money Makers because they take so few rehearsals.

Ragweed Cowboy Joe has other differences, too. There's a villain, a hero, and a heroine, but they're not like the trite old stereotyped characters of the average comic melodrama. Annie, the heroine, is a sexy school marm who wows her students with her beauty and calms them down with her sixshooter. The hero is a well-meaning, bravehearted oaf who tries to grow cows by planting seeds, and then drowns his frustrations with a stiff shot of skimmed milk. Unfortunately, he is extremely allergic to ragweed pollen, and his sneezes interfere with his heroics. The villain is a handsome critter under the protection of his seductive mother Poochie, owner of the Juicy Dog Biscuit Saloon.

The play takes place in your city or area, and the script provides many opportunities to localize your production—to use the name of your community and some of the people in it...something audiences always enjoy. The production may be simple or elaborate. The play may open on a bare stage, with cast members (or stagehands) bringing on the few set props as needed. The action flows without interruption except for the intermission between the two acts.

The time of the play is vague—it can be the Old Wild West, the Gay Nineties, or today. Consequently, costuming is no problem. New words are provided for favorite songs, e.g., "You Are My Sunset," "I Dream of Queenie with the Light Brown Hide," "Home on the Chicken Ranch," etc.

A Director's Script (prompt book) is available from the publisher. It contains drawings of costumes and set, details on all technical aspects of staging, discussion of characterization, plot, and theme. It also suggests the complete blocking and full stage directions for all movement and business. Simple musical scores are provided in the Director's Script.

"It's a super play and lots of fun to do."—New Van Ville Players, Bloomer, Wis.

See also: Melodramas