Tularosa

D No: 605

Text - Author or Scripture: RWD and Joan Shaw Dirksen

Performing Forces: SATB, piano

Date Published: CE 93

Date of Composition: 1961

Notes: An operetta in two acts Libretto by Joan Dirksen, based on a newspaper story. Rosa Bellaterra, owner of the two-million acre Fancy B Ranch near the Tularosa mountains in New Mexico is asked by the United States Air Force to lease to them a several-thousand acre parcel for top secret work. Rosa, an ardent pacifist, suspects weapons testing is afoot, and since the government will tell her nothing, she refuses permission. When condemnation proceedings are threatened she announces the formation of a new country, Tularosa, that will secede from the Union, and will seek admission to and protection by the United Nations. Two undercover agents from Washington, Adam Jones and Euphoria Busby, arrive disguised as vacationing dude-ranch guests. They soon become fond of and involved with the citizens of Tularosa and are welcomed as new and respected members of the ranch family. Rosa has three beautiful daughters, Silver, Crystal and Penny. The U. S. Marshal John Remington and Lucky, the ranch foreman, are handsome men. Love interest abounds. Charlie Lodestone (a fast-shuffling Amerind entrepreneur), two Air Force generals, and many lively ranch hands and guests are all involved in helping get the new nation underway, or in trying to get it back for the United States’ real purpose, which is to land the first spaceman on the moon. At the end, the flag of Tularosa, called the “Cactus Cat,” and the new country’s haunting national anthem are both honored one last time in a surprising finale that sets all on the right course. This work was staged and performed by the glee clubs of the National Cathedral School for Girls and the St. Alban School for Boys in the Whitby Gymnasium, the first week of May, 1961. The role of Lucky was created for our son Rick, for his graduating year. (Performance time is 1 hour 50 minutes.) Index of scenes and music: Act I, scene 1—(no music) Scene 2—What do you say, chorus; Cactus Cat, Lucky and chorus; They went that-a-way, John, the marshal soloists and chorus; “Silly,” he says, Silver Crystal, Penny, and Rosa; Scene 3—Don’t ever count on a horse, Adam; We’re a brand new country, Rosa, Crystal, Lucky and chorus; Scene 5—The Tularosa National Anthem, ensemble. Act II, scene 1—Smugglin’ train, Lucky, Adam and men’s chorus; When we’re married, Penny and John; Reprise: Smugglin’ train, with women singing a descant; Scene 2—Stuff of life, Rosa and daughters; Who are they?, chorus; Scene 3—Que grande, que viene el rio, Lucky; What do you say, Silver and Lucky; Finale: soloists and ensemble.