“Petticoat Rules”: The Creative Force Behind a Jackson Classic
Looking over Pam Drews Phillips shoulder during Petticoat Rules
Pam Drews Phillips
Twenty-five years ago, two powerhouse women – Pam Drews Phillips and Mary Murfitt – set out to tell a forgotten Jackson Hole story. The result was Petticoat Rules, a spirited, song-filled celebration of the town’s all-female government and the bold women who made history. Now, this landmark musical has returned to the stage where it all began: the Pink Garter Theatre.
Pam Drews Phillips, a virtuoso jazz pianist, Broadway conductor, and longtime Jackson resident, had already made a name for herself performing with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and conducting major Broadway productions like Crazy for You and Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. But when she learned about Jackson’s “petticoat rulers,” she knew the story needed to be told, and it needed to be a musical.
Mary Murfitt
Pam reached out to longtime friend and collaborator Mary Murfitt, a Theatre World Award-winner and the creative force behind the Off-Broadway hit Cowgirls. Mary brought theatrical rigor, sharp wit, and deep research to the project, poring over local newspapers and historical archives to breathe life into the characters. Though separated by thousands of miles, the duo collaborated through voicemails, faxes, and late-night calls, swapping melodies and lyrics in an inspired, cross-country creative exchange.
Commissioned as Wyoming’s contribution to Continental Harmony, a national arts initiative led by the NEA and the American Composers Forum, Petticoat Rules premiered in 2000 to packed houses and community acclaim. It was revived again in 2009 and 2010; and now, in 2025, Phillips and Murfitt are back on stage, performing in the pit together for the first time.
This revival is more than a celebration of the past – it’s a tribute to the creative spirit of two women who believed in the power of local stories. As Tumbleweed Creative Arts continues its work to restore the Pink Garter Theatre, your support helps us honor that vision. When you donate, you're not just funding a show, you’re helping preserve the legacy of local artists, historic spaces, and the stories that shape our community.