In 1912, Wildcat “Wildy” Jackson and her younger, daintier sister Jane arrive in Centavo City, hoping to strike it rich in the oil business. Wildy, trying her best to compete in a man’s world, maintains a tough demeanor and a positive outlook ("Hey, Look Me Over!"). The sisters meet Joe Dynamite, the most successful crew foreman in the territory. Joe finds Wildy’s ruggedness appealing and agrees to work with her if she can prove ownership to her claimed land and hire a crew.
Wildy and Jane meet and befriend Countess Emily O’Brien, who lets them share her house. Wildy meets an odoriferous, unwashed hermit named Sookie, who stays dirty to keep other people away. Wildy and Sookie make a deal to go fifty-fifty on any oil discovered on Sookie’s land (“What Takes My Fancy”). She stretches the truth to attract Joe, and sparks fly between them (“You’re A Liar”). Meanwhile. Jane falls for Hank, a pleasant mild-mannered young Mexican boy ("One Day We Dance").
Wildy attempts to lure Joe with her female charms ("Give A Little Whistle"), but when he rejects her plans, she has him falsely arrested and released into her custody. Joe gratefully agrees to start work on the project but abandons it once he discovers it was Wildy who had him jailed. Left high and literally dry by her partner and crew, Wildy resorts to desperate measures. At a Mexican fiesta, she dresses like a lady and dances merrily (“El Sombrero”), eventually winning Joe back. Wildy, Joe and the crew dig a well on Sookie’s hill, but no oil arises. Naysayers cry that Joe Dynamite has finally dug a dry one. All appears lost. But Wildy keeps at it, and at last… wham! A Texas-sized gusher.
Principals
(3 female; 7 male)
Wildcat "Wildy" Jackson
Jane Jackson
Countess Emily O’Brien
Joe Dynamite
Hank
Sookie
Sheriff Sam Gore
Tattoo
Oney
Cisco
Supporting
Auctioneer
Barney
Luke
Miguel
Matt
Corky
Sandy
Postman
Inez
Blonde
Ensemble
People of Centavo City and the Plaza