The Saga of Sagebrush Sal was commissioned as an easy-to-do-make-money project by a civic organization. As a result, 3 additional Quickie Money Makers were added by demand from community groups and higher education to Girl Scout troops and elementary schools. Innovative changes include the setting as an ice cream parlor or a coffee house. Since this and the other 3 Quickies (George Washington Swept Here, Ragweed Cowboy Joe and The Shaky Tale of Dr. Jakey) are nothing but pure fun, producers are urged to make any changes desired to fit a particular situation.

Here is all the fun that an old-fashioned comic melodrama should have—but with refreshing differences. This one tells the story of sexy Sagebrush Sal, who decides to take over the busiest establishment in town, the Bloody Turnip Saloon. Jake the Snake, its owner, doesn't like the idea, but when Sal kills all his customers with one bullet, Jake snakes out. In the meantime, Sal's delectable, oversized, man-crazy daughter Hazeltine has her troubles with the world's shyest white-hat hero, Heartbleed Haymeadow. The audience laughs so much, you can hardly get on with the show.

Part of the fun of watching a Gay Nineties melodrama is booing the villain and cheering the hero—but the noise also makes the dialogue hard to hear. The Saga of Sagebrush Sal takes care of this problem by giving most of the lines to a narrator, with the actors miming the action. This also means the play can be produced with only 4 or 5 rehearsals. Specialty song and dance numbers may be included. Like the typical comic melodrama, this one calls for exaggerated pantomime, farcical action, and broad, blatant satire. "Corn" is also part of the fun of a Gay Nineties melodrama: therefore mistakes and miscues simply add to the farce if they are handled properly (that is, don't let them embarrass or "throw" the cast; but accept them as part of the show).

Costumes may be simple (most can be fashioned from ordinary modern clothing, if necessary) and the set can be quickly and inexpensively made from cardboard and plywood. This does not mean, of course, that an elaborate, expensive production is ruled out. A Director's Script (prompt book) is available from the publisher of this play. 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. One act; Set, outdoors and The Bloody Turnip Saloon; Time, Gay Nineties.

"We gave [The Saga of Sagebrush Sal] under a tent at our Fall festival. We 'packed' them in...It was a great success."—Vera Bennett, Chamber of Commerce, Marshall, Illinois. "Our whole cast says that this is by far the funniest script they have ever read."—Ruritan Northwestern, West Salem, OH. "Our school put the play on 4 years ago and we thought it was so good, we (parents) would like to put it on for our Old Settlers Picnic."—Fairmont, Nebr. "Since this play is easy to do, we may try Ragweed Cowboy Joe next year."—Hubbertville School, Fayette, Ala.

See also: Melodramas