Boxcar: A Stage Play about Woody Guthrie

By Dr. Gary Solomon

Dr. Solomon has written a play about one of his American heros, Woody Guthrie. Part fictional and part historic, Boxcar covers Woodys life riding the rails, his singing career and his family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 22, 1995
• ISBN: 9781483551661

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Copyright© 1995 by Hoots Literary Agency

All rights reserved.

Permission in writing must be obtained from Hoots Literary Agency before any part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical: including photocopying and recording, by any information storage or retrieval system.

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Hoots Literary Agency

Dr. Robin Huhn

1001 Calico Ridge Dr.

Henderson, NV 89011

702.812.4599                                                                 ISBN: 9781483551661

BOXCAR

CAST OF CHARACTERS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:

THE LAW: Man running with a hunting dog.

WOODY: Thin scrawny young man, 17-20 years old, shabbily dressed holding a small cloth bag, appears older as the play progresses as he grows up.

BOXCAR: Big burley man, an imposing figure, voice like James Earl Jones, 40-50 years old, ragged hat, overalls, beat-up work boots.

GRANDMA: Old woman, old worn ankle length dress, spend most of her time in a rocking chair.

NORA: Woody's mother, as the play progresses she becomes down trodden, depressed, becoming more unkempt.

RIDER ONE: Riding a horse, 17 years old, dressed in street clothes.

RIDER TWO: Riding a horse, 17 years old, dressed in street clothes.

CHARLEY: Woody's father, late 30's, wearing a suit and tie, a boozer and a fighter.

MAN 1: Casually dressed in old clothes, angry at Charley.

Man 2: Casually dressed in old clothes, angry at Charley.

Man 3: Casually dressed in old clothes, angry at Charley.

Clara: Woody's sister, appears ill.

FIRST MAN IN LINE: Wearing dirty work clothes, standing in line.

FIRST MAN IN LINE: Wearing dirty work clothes, standing in line.

FIRST MAN IN LINE: Wearing dirty work clothes, standing in line.

YOUNG WOMAN: Distraught.

STUMP: Bad leg, one hand missing with bottle in other hand, ragged clothes.

RIDER FIVE: Poorly dressed in torn overalls, torn shirts, worn out shoes.

RIDER EIGHT: Poorly dressed in torn pants, torn shirts, worn out shoes.

RIDER SEVEN: Poorly dressed in torn pants, torn shirts, worn out shoes.

RIDER SIX: Poorly dressed in torn pants, torn shirts, worn out shoes.

RIDER FOUR: Poorly dressed in torn overalls, torn shirts, worn out shoes.

HOBO 1: Shabbily dressed, dirty, standing around a fire.

HOBO 2: Shabbily dressed, dirty, standing around a fire.

HOBO 3: Shabbily dressed, dirty, standing around a fire.

BOXCAR as JIMMY HOFFA: Voice becomes more redined.

JAMES, JR.: Young boy.

ADVERTISING ANNOUNCER: Slick looking.

LEFTY LOU: Radio musician.

MARY: Woody's second wife.

EXECUTIVE ONE: Well dressed, mid-twenties.

EXECUTIVE TWO: Well dressed, mid-twenties.

WARFMAN ONE: Dressed in raggedy clothes, woolen cap.

WARFMAN TWO: Dressed in raggedy clothes, woolen cap.

WOMAN: In the audience.

CISCO: Radio musician.

MARJORIE: Woody's third wife.

FIREMAN: Dressed in fire gear.

THE INTERVIEWER: Dressed nicely.

PETE: Pete Seegar, musician, friend of Woody's.

JOHN: John Steinbeck, author, friend of Woody's.

WILL: Will Geer, director, actor, writer, friend of Woody's.

STUDDS: Studds Turkel, writer, friend of Woody's.

DYLAN: Bob Dylan, budding musician, long curly hair.

BOXCAR

ACT I

(The audience arrives to an open curtain that reveals a dimly lit stage. The stage is set with a train freight car, stage front, middle. The freight car appears to be made of wood. The numbers One-Seventeen (117) are on the side of the car. There are two sliding wooden doors. One door is open to the audience. The rest of the stage is empty. Above the boxcar and to the left is a living room. A spiral staircase goes up to the living room just on the side of the boxcar. The living room is old, around the 1918's or 20's decor. There is a couch, table, lamp, rug, mirror, and a few knickknacks. The freight car and the area around it are lit with a soft light to depict late afternoon. There is a young man, about 17 to 20 years old, running towards the freight car. He is shabbily dressed holding a small cloth bag. He is being chased. He appears to be scared. Voices from off stage can be heard.)

THE LAW

(Yelling from off stage right.) You little no good (Beat.) I ought'a… (A shot is heard followed by the sound of a barking dog.)

WOODY

(He appears to duck. Panting and out of breath.) God. Oh, God. Jesus God. Get me out of here, Lord God. (Yelling back.) I didn't do nothin'. It ain't my fault.

THE LAW

You son-of-a-bitch. (As if yelling at others who are also trying to catch the man.) Don't let that little bastard get away. (Beat.) Let go'a Patch. (The sound of the barking dog is more prominent.) Get'em, Patch. Kill the little son-of-a-bitch.

(WOODY grabs the open side of the freight car. He attempts to get into the freight car. He appears to be slipping. Just before he falls a hand comes out from behind the closed sliding door and grabs his wrist, pulling him into the freight car in one solid pull.)

WOODY

(Panting and out of breath. Speaking without looking up.) Thanks, Mister, I almost… (He looks up, appears to be shocked and scared, and tries to get out of the freight car. The hand comes out and pulls him back in. With fear in his voice.) I didn't… (Pause, looking up at something.) I didn't mean to…(Pause.) I didn't know anyone was in here. I'll… (Pause.) I'll be movin' on. (He tries to get out and the hand stops him again. A long moment passes. He appears to be catching his breath.)

BOXCAR

(In a large billowy voice, like James Earl Jones, from behind the door.)

Where you goin', son?

WOODY

Mister, I didn't know you was in here, really. I didn't know this was yours.

I'll just be…(trying to get out again.)

BOXCAR

(Stopping him