A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  4m

Winner! 1979 National New Play Award at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival

Set in a one room shack out west at the turn of the last century, this at times funny and at times chilling play concerns Pat Garrett, the man who shot Billy the Kid. Now, many years after the famous deed, Garrett lives alone with his memories. Enter…

The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4m
  • Duration
    Duration
    60 minutes (1 hour)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior, Teen (Age 14 - 18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 1979 National New Play Award at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival

Details

Summary
Set in a one room shack out west at the turn of the last century, this at times funny and at times chilling play concerns Pat Garrett, the man who shot Billy the Kid. Now, many years after the famous deed, Garrett lives alone with his memories. Enter the man who wrote the dime novel that immortalized Billy and Garrett. He brings with him a man who he claims is the real Billy the Kid, now middle aged and very much alive. Is this man Billy the Kid? And, if he is then who is Pat Garrett?
Cast Attributes

PAT F. GARRETT- 57, rancher, ex-sheriff, the man who killed Billy the Kid. 

ASHMON UPSON- in his 70s, frontier journalist, ghost writer of Garrett's book, The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid. 

JIM P. MILLER- in his late 20s, rancher, methodist deacon, hired killer. 

  • Time Period 1900-1910
  • Setting Pat Garrett's ranchouse, 20 miles east of Las Cruces, New Mexico, in the Organ Mountains; 1908. 
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 60 minutes (1 hour)
  • Cautions
    • Gun Shots
    • Mild Adult Themes

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

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Authors

Lee Blessing

Lee Blessing's play's include: A Walk In The Woods (Broadway and London's West End), Going to St. Ives, (Outer Critic’s Circle Award, Best Play, Obie for ensemble performance); Thief River (Drama Desk nomination, Best Play); Cobb (Drama Desk award, best ensemble); Chesapeake, ...
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