In 1851 Sarah McCarron and her two children, Tom
and Abby, arrive in Independence, Missouri by wagon intending to
follow the Oregon Trail in order to rendezvous with Sarah's
husband Caleb at Fort Laramie. Caleb McCarron is journeying back
from the California goldfields and once the family is reunited
then it's on to Oregon.
Act I Scene 1
Sarah, Tom and Abby are introduced to
Independence, Missouri with the song “Come Follow!” Sarah and her
family then meet, Mose, the wagon train's chief scout, a former
legendary mountain man now helping his friend Captain Joshua
Grainer guide a group of pilgrims across the plains to Oregon.
Captain Grainer's nephew, Percival Lane, is thrown onto the scene
from the local tavern for cheating at cards. Newlyweds Mary and
Stanly Cooper enter hand in hand but an argument ensues once Mary
realizes some of her possessions are in jeopardy of being left
behind. This leads into “Stubborn as a Mule” . Captain Grainer
arrives and announces that the journey is about to begin singing
“Oregon”. As everyone leaves, Jenny Wingate, a pretty teenage girl
finds a letter on the ground and introduces herself to Tom as he
searches for his letter.
Act I Scene 2
Caleb McCarron and Sarah's brother, Joe, are leaving the Gold
fields of California to journey East and meet up with Caleb's
family along the Oregon Trail at Fort Laramie. They are taking a
small fortune in gold with them in order to build themselves a new
life in Oregon. Caleb reflects at the end of the scene and sings
“Caleb’s Lament”.
Act I Scene 3
Jenny calls on Tom and gets teased by Abby. Tom's mother, Sarah,
is pestered by Lane, the cardsharp and nephew of the wagon master.
Lane is scolded by his uncle for avoiding work . Tom pulls out his
diary and starts writing the days events. A number of pioneers
enter the stage and beg Mose for a story. Mose then sings "The
Silver Buffalo". After the song the stage empties except for Jenny
and Tom. Jenny wants to celebrate their one month anniversary on
the trail together and sings "(By the Light Of the) Shawnee
Prairie Moonrise". Tom Scolds Jenny for getting the Indian tribe
wrong. Jenny storms off stage leaving a baffled Tom.
Act I Scene 4
Sarah helps deliver a baby and is joined by Mary who is distraught
at the idea of cooking with buffalo chips. Mary sings "All of My
Life". Mary discovers she is pregnant. Abby announces there is a
sick little boy and Sarah leaves to attend the boy. Lane tries to
spread his own paranoia about to the evils of red race by singing
"Manifest Destiny" when a lone Sioux warrior is spotted on the
horizon. Sarah announces the boy has died. A storm approaches. All
prepare for the funeral. Sarah sings "Where Does the Love Go?" As
the curtain closes the makeshift cross over the grave falls.
Act I Scene 5
Tom approaches Captain Grainer and warns that some of the men want
to elect a new captain. Mary then enters, hysterical, followed by
Stanly, apologizing for her slipping in the mud with Mary
screaming about the loss of her wardrobe and Stanly complaining
back about how he has to put one of the oxen down because of the
weight of the wagon. Sarah comes to Mary’s aid and escorts her
away. Other pioneers who have watched the spectacle of Mary and
Stanly start to complain about conditions and about electing a new
captain. Mose suppresses the rebellion by singing his song of
triumph over doubt with "Persevere".
End of Act I
Act II Scene 1
Mary wakes with the sounds of the
birds and starts singing "Morning". Sarah mentors Mary singing
"Guide his Heart" but Sarah's growing uncertainty is revealed as
she in turn seeks to be mentored by Mose.
Act II Scene 2
Caleb and Joe are ambushed by two
desperados. Joe is dead but Caleb is discovered by a group of
Sioux tracking the desperados for past crimes. Caleb is then
carried to the tribe’s medicine man.
Act II Scene 3
This scene starts out with a young boy
complaining that all he gets to eat is "Bacon and Bread". Tom
reveals his feelings for Jenny singing "Something Called Love".
The Captain announces the Fourth of July celebration and everyone
dances to "Independence Hoe Down". Sarah is abused by Lane during
the dance and runs off frightened singing "Sarah’s Prayer". Abby
enters and falls into her mothers arms in a feverish coma.
Act II Scenes 4
Abby, lost in her feverish dreams is
beckoned by her dead Uncle Joe. Before she gives into the spirit
world she is pulled back by her father’s voice and sings
"Something’s Missing". Curtain then opens with the two desperados
in the Fort Laramie commissary seeking sanctuary from a band of
Indians trying to think of a means of escape. Lane enters the
commissary and the desperados strike up a deal for Lane to help
them.
Act II Scene 5
Outside of the Fort Laramie Sarah and
Mary are nursing the delirious Abby. Sarah is distraught since she
has discovered that her husband, Caleb, is not at the Fort. Mose
has ridden to the Indian encampment to get some medicine for Abby
and finds Caleb bringing him back to Fort Laramie. Caleb is
reunited with Sarah both singing "Love Be Patient, love Be Kind".
Abby wakes up to the sound of her father’s voice, her fever
broken. The two desperados and Lane have been discovered by Mose
and are jailed. Mose starts the final song and is joined by the
whole cast with "Follow Me!"
