Friday November 10, 2006 SGN.org |
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Volume 34 Issue 45 |
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Sunday, Oct 12, 2008
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Cowboy vs. Samurai - A grandly wonderful distraction |
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| Cowboy vs. Samurai - A grandly wonderful distraction | |
| by Rajkhet Dirzhud-Rashid -
SGN A&E Writer Cowboy vs Samurai Directed by Miko Premo Starring: Travis Myers, Jose Abaoag, Ray Tagavilla, David Hsieh, Khanh Doan Richard Hugo House October 20-November 18th Okay, it was my mood and the fact that the lead actor (or one of them), reminded me of some pressing personal issues that really got the old tear ducts going, but I still enjoyed 'Cowboy vs. Samurai', and was even able to laugh at some of the offbeat humor. And yes, I still think Travis Myers as a lunk-headed small town anti-hero to Ray Tagavilla's sort of hero, is the greatest thing to hit a Seattle stage for some time. Keep your eyes out for more of him in the future. The play, set in modern day Breakneck, Wyoming, deals in a somewhat light-hearted way with the culture clash that occurs when a young and single Korean woman (Khanh Doan) moves to town to teach. Immediately 'rebel without a cause' Chester (Jose Abaog) uses her presence as fuel to try and get his more moderate friend (and the only other Asian in town), Del (Ray Tagavilla), to be more politically visible and outspoken. Also Chester hopes that now that an Asian woman has hit town, he'll have more dating opportunities. Only Veronica Lee (Doan) isn't really interested in dating anyone, at the moment. This all changes when she meets hunky, but dull Del (Myers), who peaks her interest and convinces radical Chester that she's a 'twinkie' and stirs the usually ambivalent Travis (Tagavilla) to become a pseudo-Cyrano to Del, who has no dating skills. But as he writes a letter for Del to court Virginia with, Travis finds that he is also interested in Virginia, but thinking she only dates white men-after one brief 'getting to know you' conversation-he gives up on his chance at dating her. Ah, but fate soon changes everything for everyone and, in the middle, there are some very human moments that will seem all too familiar to anyone of color, especially anyone who has moved from a more diverse environment to one where they are much more of a minority (like my move from Chicago to Seattle in 1987). In turns both funny and moving, 'Cowboy vs. Samurai' brings up some toothsome points, even as they are buffered by humor. I loved this play with its down to earth cast and accessible set and cast that worked together as if they were all old friends. And I highly recommend it, whether you have pressing emotional concerns or not, as it is a grandly wonderful distraction. For ticket information, call 206-323-9443 or visit, www.sis-productions.org. |
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