Calamity Jane can outrun and outshoot any man in Deadwood, but how she balances being No. 1 with the rest of her life is a journey Rosholt High School Drama Department will take to the stage next weekend.

The Rosholt High School Drama Department will present the musical “Calamity Jane” at 7 p.m. Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 1, in the high school auditorium. Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for seniors and kindergarten through 12th-grade students.

“Even though we are a small school, the drama program at Rosholt continues to grow tremendously,” said director Kathryn Kawleski. “It’s really neat that this show includes a number of high school juniors and seniors who are joining drama for the first time, even though they are actively involved in athletics and other activities.”

Set in the Dakota Territory in 1876, the musical tells the story of Calamity Jane, who can outrun and outshoot any man in Deadwood. Hard, boastful and desperate to impress, she travels to Chicago to recruit stage star Adelaid Adams to come back and perform in Deadwood.

But things do not go smoothly for Calamity, as everyone in town favors the new girl, and Calamity struggles to keep her jealousy and pride in check. It takes her long-standing friendly enemy Wild Bill Hickok to make Calamity Jane see sense, and realize her secret love.

For junior Molly Andreae, who plays Calamity Jane, it is an opportunity to grow as an actress as well as learn about her fellow cast members.

“I love learning about people, I love seeing each person’s quirks, what they love, what they hate,” she said.

“It’s been pretty challenging for me in this show,” she said. “My character throws in a lot of ‘Goshalmighty’s’ and ‘Ain’t’s at random.”

The comedy also has many tender moments and some famous musical numbers, including “Secret Love,” “Black Hills of Dakota,” “Deadwood Stage” and “Windy City.” The musical is based on the 1953 movie that starred Doris Day and Howard Keel.

The music is a bit challenging, students said, but it is another way to expand their talents.

“For me, the most challenging thing about this production is my solo. I’ve never sung with a microphone before so I’m kind of nervous,” said 11th-grader Elizabeth Dobbe, who plays Adelaid Adams.

This production is a larger one done by the school, which allows students in the middle school an opportunity to be involved.

“It’s a great opportunity and a fun time,” said sixth-grader Samantha Simonis. “Also, you make new friends, and it helps you get up in front of people.”

Being able to be someone else is a draw for many who play in sports as well.

“This is a lot different,” said eighth-grader Rheanne Kurszewski. “Track is especially different from theater. In track you compete against other schools, but in theater, you meet a lot of new people and eventually they will start to feel like family.”

“Theater is different because you can get up on stage and act as a totally different person,” said ninth-grader Amanda Wanta. “Unlike if you were running or doing a sport, you can act, transform into your part.”

With many characters and townspeople, the show also will feature some newcomers, like senior Gabe Kosmalski.

“Being in this production is something that I never imagined doing in a million years,” he said. “(But) I think theater allows students to express themselves in a way that other activities simply cannot.”

Theater also provides a camaraderie that is unmatched, and that is evident in this production, students said.

“What I enjoy about this show, and every show, is seeing people with their talents, and growing in everything else they’re amazing at,” said 11th-grader Jordan Buckles.

And it’s one of the best ways to finish out a high school career, senior Erik Beckland said.

“It’s a welcoming community,” said Beckland, who plays Wild Bill Hickok. “The friendships made here are forever … and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”

The production includes a cast of 59 students in sixth- through 12th-grade, plus seven additional students in the stage and tech crews.

Cast members include:

Molly Andreae, Erik Beckland, Mackenzie Karch, Andrew Kluck, Jordan Buckles, Mason Lorbiecki, Amanda Stanislawski, Elizabeth Dobbe, Logan Burclaw, Kyle Check, Clayton Filtz, Alex Frasch, Dylan Gruna, Noah Santini, Maggie Brandl, Carissa Delikowski,

Damian Dulak, Madeline Frechette, Tony Gagas, Bowen Kedrowicz, Emma Kluck, Gabe Kosmalski, Laurie Lewandowski, Logan Lopez, Natasha Ockwig, Jordin Rekowski, Kailen Smerchek, Samantha Smiley, Breanna Stelson,

 Lilli Walder, Tara Yach, Rachel Beckland, Abby Betker, Kylie Block, Keith Buse, Sarah Casper, Emily Charnecke, Joelle Delikowski, Logan Esker, Cassidy Frasch, Rachael Ganski, Aubrey Garski, Logan Garski, Lizzi Gizzi, Nathan Glodowski, Olivia Groshek,

Ryan Hoppa, Brooklyn Karch, Lexi Kurszewski, Rachel Kurszewski, Rheanne Kurszewski, Nicole Nerlien, Cody Niewiadomski, Amelia O’Donnell, Tabatha Rekowski, Samantha Simonis, Anna Trzinski, Amanda Wanta and Olivia Wierzba.

Backstage crew members are Mallory Rekowski (stage manager), Kylie Block, Nick Dobbe, Serenity Hackl, Kelsey Skibba and Eli Trzinski. The tech crew members are Mason Lehman, Brenna Morgan and Tabatha Rekowski.

The musical is directed by Kathryn Kawleski, with Cheryl Kawleski serving as assistant director.  Technical director is Pat Hogan.