Cast: 4 either gender. Gold Fever is a popular participatory play of the highest quality for children of kindergarten to third grade. The characters, story and plotting attract all ages. Old West history and legend are humorously and imaginatively blended in this comedy to make a powerful statement about the conflict between personal greed and compassion for others. Set in the historic California Gold Rush, Gold Fever brings together Ben Halladay, "King of the Stage Lines," and a notorious highwayman known as Black Bart, a "forty-niner" who failed to find riches in the gold fields. Now Black Bart turns to robbing Halladay's stagecoaches. Their ensuing misadventures reveal to both that "Gold fever can make a man mad!" Designed to tour with simple sets and suggested costumes. Approximate running time: 65 minutes. Music in book.