Playhouse Merced is bringing to life an original tale of the Old West that is fraught with ne’er-do-wells, damsels in distress, and gold-fevered fiends in their production of “Deadwood Dick.”

The acting troupe describes the play, written by Merced’s Shawn Overton, as “the dramatization of a bloodthirsty, dime novel just like grandfather used to read in secret.”

But for all the melodrama it is essentially a family comedy according to the playwright.

The show stars Chris Battisti as Deadwood Dick, Bernadette Mello as Calamity Jane, Stephen Mouillesseaux as Maleficio Montjoy, Paul Wegner as Montana Joe, and Melissa Beckwith as Chrysanthemum Rose. The play is directed by Sheila Noel.

“Deadwood Dick” opens tonight and continues through April 17. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $10 for students with valid id and $15 to $22, depending on section for adults. Tickets can be purchased by going online at www.playhousemerced.com, by calling 725-8587, or visiting the box office at 452 West Main Street in downtown Merced, from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.