COMBOY VERSUS SAMURAI Opens at Long Beach Playhouse

]The Long Beach Playhouse is pleased to present Cowboy versus Samurai in its Studio Theatre. It's the story of an Asian American High School English teacher, his two friends, one who is also Asian American and one a "cowboy" and a beautiful Asian American colleague with a preference for dating white guys. Will the English teacher use his literary talent to help the cowboy or to help himself?

Shinshin Yuder Tsai is making his directorial debut at the Playhouse. Tsai studied acting and directing at UCI. He has acted in and directed shows at UCI and worked on two short films. This is his first show in a community theatre and he's enjoying the experience including working with the actors to develop a common vision for the show.
"The characters of Cowboy versus Samurai think they know who they are but as the story unfolds we see they do not. The show raises many issues for our characters to work through including the implications of race, the Asian American experience and struggle, and the masks that everyone wears," said Tsai.

Tsai says he found the central question was one of identity. He and the cast delved deeply into the characters and the result is an authentic and witty look the universality of love even in a place like Breakneck, Wyoming.

Of the four cast members, three - Rosie Narasaki, Perry Pang, and Christian Skinner - are making their Playhouse debuts. The fourth, Lee Samuel Tanng, is a familiar face to Playhouse audiences having appeared in shows on both stages including his most recent appearance on the Mainstage in Rumors.

"There are so many things to say about this production," said Sean Gray, Playhouse Artistic Director. "One thing we always try to do is keep the 'community' at the front of our thinking. That means always expanding our reach with new actors, new directors, stage managers, sound designers, all of the parts in the process. It keeps our shows fresh and does what a community theatre should do: engages the community."
"Come and see the show," said Madison Mooney, Playhouse Executive Director. "It's a great cast, a wonderful director and a classic story told in a whole new way. The audience will very glad they came to see it."

Cowboy versus Samurai opens on July 22 and runs through August 19. It contains adult language and content.

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THIS PLAY:

• Pay what you can Thursday July 20- community can see this production for whatever they can afford
• Two for One Preview Friday July 21 - Tickets are $10.00
• Opening Night Champagne Reception with cast on July 22 - Tickets are $27.00

Ticket Pricing:
Friday: Adults are $20.00, Seniors $18.00, and Students $14.00Saturday and Sunday: Adults are $24.00, Seniors $21.00, and Students $14.00.

Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling 562-494-1014, option 1.
To request an interview with the director, cast members or reserve your media tickets to this performance, please send an email to: pr@lbplayhouse.org.

Long Beach Playhouse is located at 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA, 90804, right across from the Long Beach Recreation golf course. The Playhouse is community-supported theatre with programs and events that cut across age, gender, ethnic, and cultural boundaries.

Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday from 3:00-8:00 pm and Sundays from 1:00-2:00 pm on scheduled matinees.

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