Cripple Creek Theater

2006 Show

Cast and crew info...

Olio 2006

THE SHOW

DENVER POST CRITICS CHOICE 2006

"MY PARTNER" is set in Cripple Creek at the turn of the century and is full of fun, singing, action, intrigue and romance! Imagine if you will, two partners in 1900 gold mining boom town Cripple Creek. Both have eyes for the same girl. One partner mysteriously dies - or is it so mysterious? This classic whodunit was originally set in the gold fields of California and has been revised to fit into the Cripple Creek 1890's gold rush.

Synopsis of Scenes
Adapted from the original by Bartley Campbell. Adaptations by

Dorothy Mackin & Richard T. Hanson.
The action of the play takes place in the Cripple Creek Mining District in the State of Colorado between July 4, 1899 and December, 1900.

ACT ONE
Scene One:
The veranda of the Brandon House Hotel on the 4th of July.
"Are there waters cold enough to hide a wretched, sinful woman?"

Scene Two:
Poverty Gulch: Joe and Ned's cabin, the next day.
"Take me out and hang me without mercy. Life to me has been a failure in every way!"
ACT TWO
Scene One:
Parlor of the Brandon House Hotel, six months later.
"Nothing curdles up the blood so comfortable like as the particulars of a murder trial or a hangin'!"

Scene Two:
Parlor of the Brandon House Hotel, later that day
"When I am gone, I want you to lay me in the grave out there 'long side my partner!"

About the Show

"My Partner" is considered the "singular masterpiece" of its author, Bartley Campbell. It was first produced at the Union Square Theatre in New York City, from Sept. 16 through Oct. 17, 1879, and was later taken on tour. Seen frequently throughout the country until well after the turn of the century, the drama was critically acclaimed for its "simple pathos and uncomplicated theatrics" common to stage presentations of the day. A motion picture version was filmed for the "silent screen" in 1909.
The part of Joe Saunders, hero of "My Partner", was probably created for the then famous actor Louis Aldrich. An interesting footnote is that shortly after the opening of "My Partner" in New York, Campbell sold the rights of the Joe Saunders role to Aldrich for the sum of $10 a performance, a custom then in vogue. The author later bitterly regretted the sale. Aldrich continued to play the part until 1887 and then began to lease it to other actors!

Bartley Campbell, son of Irish immigrants, was born on Aug. 12, 1843, in Allegheny City, now part of Pittsburgh, Penn. He received very little schooling except that given him at home by a much older brother. In 1858, at the age of 15, he went to work on the Pittsburgh Post and continued a long career in journalism. His dramatic work, "America, An Historical Allegory," was published in 1871. However, he had little theatrical success until "My Partner" was produced.
Although his play "White Slave" was presented more often over a longer period of time, "My Partner" is generally regarded as his most successful drama.