'Deadwood' Plays Deadwood

Cable World, July 11, 2005

By Shirley Brady

Over the last weekend in June, residents and tourists in the real Deadwood got a touch of dusty glamour when 13 cast members of HBO's Deadwood descended on the town in the Black Hills of western South Dakota. The cast, invited by the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce, the Deadwood Historic Preservation Society and the Adams Museum and House, visited the historic Bullock Hotel and explored the Black Hills, with its mines and waterfalls. And, of course, with 80 small casinos from which to choose, they whooped it up by playing cards and generally making merry in the spirit of the rip-roarin' Wild West. Deadwood Mayor Francis Toscana quipped before their visit, "We're kind of counting on them to bring the color."

Actor W. Earl Brown (saloon manager Dan Dority on the series) took part in the city's annual Wild Bill Hickok Days celebration (June 17-19), which was taped by CMT for a special airing this fall. Brown played with his band, Sacred Cowboys, while actor John Hawkes (better known as Jewish merchant Sol Star) brought his band, King Straggler, to play the festival.

The cast and crew of Deadwood have strong ties with the community. Creator/producer David Milch and his writers have paid many visits and communicate regularly with the Adams Museum to conduct research. The city has profited, too: In 2004 Deadwood enjoyed an 11% increase in gaming revenue and an 18% increase in "bed and booze taxable sales," according to the Deadwood Economic Development Corp. This year, tourism is up 22%--and that was before the HBO posse arrived.

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