The Virginian appeared at a time when much current literature was being revised for the stage and collectively contributing to the heyday of melodrama. Celebrated plays such as Rip Van Winkle and The Count of Monte Cristo were dramatized adaptations of popular literature.

Influenced by this era's fascination with melodrama, Wister seriously attempted to write a stage version of his novel but was hampered by his lack of expertise. After two years of producing unacceptable manuscripts, he asked his friend, Kirk LaShelle, who had completed other adaptations, to write a stage version of The Virginian. In 1904 this LaShelle-Wister collaboration appeared on Broadway with Dustin Farnum as the Virginian and continued for about four months. Criticism was mostly favorable, as indicated by these comments from the New York Times: "The accuracy of detail, and the consequent wealth of true atmosphere is the chief value of the play. In a...