Buffalo Child
A piece of American history
by Seamus McDonagh
March 31 - April 10, 2016
A piece of American history
by Seamus McDonagh
March 31 - April 10, 2016
Buffalo Child is an original play written by local playwright Seamus McDonagh of The Park Theater Company. The play is based on the true life story of Sylvester Long aka Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance (1890 – 1932) who rose from humble beginnings in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to international fame and fortune, i.e. team mate and best friend of Jim Thorpe; first Native American to gain a presidential appointment to West Point; World War I decorated veteran; light heavy weight Canadian Boxing Champion; sparring partner for Jack Dempsey; journalist, writer, and advocate for North American Indigenous Peoples; running shoe endorsement for the B.F. Goodrich Company; and starring role in the internationally acclaimed film Silent Enemy which portrayed Ojibwa life before the coming of the white man. As his fame and notoriety rose so did the rumors and skepticism regarding his actual heritage. A precipitous fall from grace resulted in the mysterious circumstances of his death at age 42 and the descent of his accomplishments into the obscure fog of history.
An orginal paly in three Acts.
Cast – 6 males; 2 females
- Sylvester Long aka Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance – mixed race, Native and African American, mid 20’s – 30’s, leading man, athletic, epitome of the “noble savage” (male)
- Molly Hart aka Molly Whipperwill – Cherokee, 20’s – 30’s, actress, ingénue, love interest (female)
- Howard Kelly – European Descent, mid-20’s – mid-30’s Sylvester’s best friend, sports reporter (male)
- Abe Long – African American, 40’s, Sylvester’s older brother (male)
- Charlie Hayden – European Descent, 50’s – 60’s, newspaper editor (male)
- Douglas Baldwin – European Descent, mid-40’s – 50’s, movie producer (male)
- Anita Baldwin – European Descent, mid-40’s, wife of movie producer, seductress, richest woman in the world (female)
- Buffalo Bill/Teddy Roosevelt – European Descent, 60’s, historical characters (male)
Eight performances were presented at The Sabes JCC Theatre is St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
The cast included:
Michael Marek as Sylvester Long/Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance
Samantha Feinberg as Howard Kelly/Anita Baldwin
Luna Zauhar as Molly Whipperwill-Hart
Al Fiene as Post Reporter/Teddy Roosevelt/Wet Point Officer/Rev. Middleton/Douglas Baldwin/Joseph Hannah
Jerry Wilson as Abe Long
Jim McDonough Jr. as Buffalo Bill/Explorer's Club Doorman/Bartender/Frank Bonneville/Curly/Detective Columbus
Tim Colby as Director H.S. Carver
Robert Yarwood II as Editor Charlie Hayden/Banff Hotel Bartender
Artistic/Production Crew
Jonathan "Sparky" Chamberlin - Lights/Sound/Production Technician
Tim Colby - Artistic Director/Set Design & Construction
Robert Yarwood - Costumer
Jim McDonough Jr., Ph.D. - Director/Producer/Production Manager
