Show Synopsis:
Ben Rumson claims land in mid-nineteenth century California when his daughter Jennifer discovers gold dust, and men flock there to find their fortunes. Juliio is Mexican and forced to live and work outside the town, but when he comes into town to do his laundry, he and Jennifer begin to fall for each other. A few months later, Ben decides Jennifer away to keep her safe from the wayward morals of the men in the town and get her away from Julio. He begins to fall in love with Elizabeth, one of the wives of the new Mormon resident of the town, Jacob Wooding. When the men force Jacob to sell one of his wives, Ben bids on and wins Elizabeth, and Jennifer runs away out of disgust but tells Julio to wait a year for her. She returns a year later to find Ben planning to leave and Julio gone to look for gold in a lake, because his claim has started to dry up. Elizabeth runs off with another man, and the rest of the town leaves to stake their claims on another gold strike nearby. Ben and Jennifer wait for Julio together for five months, and though he comes back without a penny, they are happy to be reunited before Ben dies.
Character:
Julio, a young and hardworking Mexican man who wants to make a new future for himself; Jennifer, a young teenage girl who is smart and kind; does not want to live by others' expectations.
Song Context:
Julio and Jennifer have just met, and have taken a liking to each other. Jennifer has even offered to do Julio's laundry for him, and they begin to talk about their lives to get to know each other better.
Fun Facts:
1. Olga San Juan originated the role of Jennifer on Broadway and received a Donaldson Award for her performance.
2. When this musical was adapted for a film version, the plot and characters were heavily revised, and Jennifer no longer existed as a character. The song was given to the character of Pardner, played by Clint Eastwood.
3. The only award that the original Broadway production received was a Theatre World Award for Tony Bavaar's performance as Julio Valveras.
"I talk to the trees
But they don't listen to me.
I talk to the stars
But they never hear me.
The breeze hasn't time
To stop, and hear what I say.
I talk to them all
In vain.
But suddenly, my words
Reach someone elses ear
At someone elses heart
Strings too.
I tell you my dreams
And while you're listening to me
I suddenly see them
Come true.
I can see us some April night
Looking out across a rollin' farm
Having supper in the candlelight
Walking later, arm in arm
Then I'll tell you
How I pass the day
Thinking mainly how
The night would be.
Then I'll try to find
The words to say
All the things you
Mean to me.
I tell you my dreams
And while you're
Listening to me
I suddenly see them
Come true."