CODY — Studio Theatre at CCPA will present the final three performances of “Famous & Infamous Women of the West: The Cody Monologues” at the Buffalo Bill Center  of the West, June 27-29. This long-running summer staple which features many of the powerful and persuasive women who helped shape Cody has traditionally been performed at the Cody Center of the Performing Arts. This will be the first time the entire show will be seen at the Center of the West. Matinee shows in the Coe Auditorium will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday at 2 p.m. and a final farewell performance and reception will be held on Thursday evening starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20-$35 and can be reserved at codymonologues.com.

Newly updated for its final season, the show features conversations between such historical figures as the controversial author, Caroline  Lockhart and her nemesis Dr. Francis Lane, Cody’s favorite red light district dames, Cassie Waters and  Etta Feeley; and Wild West performer, Orilla Downing and Buffalo Bill Museum founder, Mary Jester Allen. A visit from the eccentric artist Olive Fell rounds out the show.  

“It’s bittersweet that ‘The Monologues’ is coming to an end,” notes the play’s author and director Bethany Sandvik. “It has been a joy to perform this play for thousands of people in Cody and across the state over the years and to end our run at the Center of the West is quite fitting. I can’t wait for our more dedicated audience members, some who have seen the show five or six times, to see this final updated version.”  

The Cody Monologues was first presented in June of 2016 and received an “Honorable Mention” in Fine Arts by the Wyoming Historical Society in 2017. Portions of the play have also been published in The Best Women’s Monologues of 2019. In addition, individual monologues have been performed over the years in the Center of the West galleries. The show has featured nine historical figures played by a total of 23 local and professional actresses since its first season. Immediately following the performance on Thursday, June 29, CCPA will celebrate these women at a farewell reception which will include light refreshments and adult beverages.  

The final three performances of this one-hour show feature Bethia Kalenak as Caroline Lockhart, Bethany Sandvik as Cassie Waters, Nan Koehler, as Etta Feeley, Pamela Kuhens as Dr. Lane, Karen Grimm as Orilla Downing, Lynne Rheinhardt as Mary Jester Allen, and Sarah Roberts as Olive Fell. Tickets are available online at codymonologues.com. More information about the show can be found on Studio Theatre at studiotheatreccpa.org.  

Studio Theatre at CCPA is located at 1527 18th Street, Cody. Studio Theatre strives to create and present  work that highlights significant historical and social issues, empowers women and fosters creativity in all ages.