Mary Kay Switzer, artistic director for the Pass Area Performing Artists and associate professor of communication, will direct her original one-act play “#10 Saloon.” The musical dinner play will premiere the first two weekends in June at the Banning Women’s Club.

Switzer was commissioned to write the play, which is based on historical events in the Gold Rush era. The action takes place in the Dakota territory and features historical figures such as Calamity Jane, Poker Alice, Charlie Rich, Wild Bill Hickok and Jack McCall. Scenes take place in the Number 10 Saloon where Wild Bill was killed by Jack McCall. 

Professional guitarist and songwriter Jon Mac Parker is the musical director for the performance.

Switzer knows this area of the Black Hills well since she was reared in Rapid City, South Dakota, near Mt. Rushmore. The play is based on her knowledge and historical research of the Gold Rush in the Black Hills.

Details about the show are available at http://banningculturalalliance.org/ctg.htm.