Arizona is a dramatic play written in 1899 by Augustus Thomas

Augustus Thomas

Augustus Thomas was an American playwright, born in St. Louis, Missouri. The son of a doctor, he worked a number of jobs including a page in the 41st Congress, studying law and gaining some practical railway work experience before he turned to journalism and became editor of the Kansas City Mirror...

, and is noted for being one of his best.

Arizona tells the story of the affection between a young cavalry man and a rancher's daughter. The young cavalryman is accused of theft, forced to resign, and then accused of murder. Sub-plots include indiscretions of a young wife married to an older cavalry officer, a cavalry officer who will not support his illegitimate child, and the love between a vaquero and the daughter of a German cavalry sergeant.

The play opened in Chicago at Hamlin's Grand Opera House on June 12, 1899. With a cast led by Theodore Roberts

Theodore Roberts

Theodore Roberts the actor is not to be confused with author Theodore Goodridge Roberts, 1877–1953, who wrote "The Harbor Master". Please see discussion page....

, sets and costumes designed by Frederic Remington

Frederic Remington

Frederic Sackrider Remington was an American painter, illustrator, sculptor, and writer who specialized in depictions of the Old American West, specifically concentrating on the last quarter of the 19th century American West and images of cowboys, American Indians, and the U. S...

, and authentic characterization of the soldiers and citizens of Arizona Territory, it was received enthusiastically by the audience. The Chicago opening also featured a young Lionel Barrymore

Lionel Barrymore

Lionel Barrymore was an American actor of stage, screen and radio. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in A Free Soul...

 in a minor role as Lieutenant Young of the Eleventh Cavalry.

Characters

• Henry Canby, owner of Aravaipa ranch.
• Colonel Frank Bonham, Eleventh United States Cavalry.
• Sam Wong, cook.
• Mrs. Canby, wife of rancher.
• Estrella Bonham, wife of the Colonel.
• Lena Kellar, a waitress.
• Lieutenant Harry Denton, Eleventh United States Cavalry.
• Bonita Canby, Estrella's sister.
• Miss MacCullagh, a school teacher.
• Dr. Fenlon, surgeon, Eleventh United States Cavalry.
• Captain Leonard Hodgman, Eleventh United States Cavalry.
• Tony Mostano, a vaquero.
• Lieutenant Hallock, Eleventh United States Cavalry.
• Sergeant Kellar, Eleventh United States Cavalry.
• Lieutenant Young, Eleventh United States Cavalry.
• Major Cochran, Eleventh United States Cavalry.

Setting

Time: Just before the war with Spain

Spanish-American War

The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...

.

Place: Aravaipa Ranch, in the Aravaipa Valley near Fort Grant, Arizona

Fort Grant, Arizona

Fort Grant, located in the U.S. state of Arizona, is a state prison and a former United States Army fortification. Fort Grant began its life as an Old West outpost in Arizona Territory, built in 1860 at Aravaipa Canyon originally as Camp Grant.-History:...

.

Act I
Evening, the interior of the adobe courtyard of Canby's ranch house.
Act II
Midnight, drawing-room of Colonel Bonham's quarters at Fort Grant.
Act III
Two months later, dining room at Aravaipa Ranch.
Act IV
Twenty minutes later, the interior of the adobe courtyard of Canby's ranch house.