A western drama about the life of the man who inspired The Lone Ranger.
From Layon Gray, the writer of Black Angels Over Tuskegee, Cowboy is the first full on western to come to a New York stage in nearly 80 years.
Once regarded as the greatest of U.S. Deputy Marshals, many scholars believe that Bass Reeve's life served as inspiration for the character of the Lone Ranger.
Set in 1888 Oklahoma Indian territory, this show follows Bass Reeves and his Native American companion as they seek out two criminals fleeing to the Mexican border, one of whom Reeves has a death warrant for. But soon, they find themselves stuck in an old saloon as a deadly tornado slowly approaches.
Winner of 5 Broadway World Awards which included Best Play, Best Overall Production, Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director.
"Playwright Layon Gray has a gift for turning a wide range of stories from Black history into engaging, thought-provoking 21st century drama. The title refers to yet another illustration of slavery’s legacy, a story that’s key to the play. After experiencing Cowboy, you may never hear the word the same way again." – Miami Herald
"Cowboy is everything audiences expect of a rousing western! Gray is a fine writer—as in Tennessee Williams, there’s a regional poetry in the characters’ communication, but he’s an even better director. - ” Florida Theatre Onstage
1975 | Regional (US) |
World Premiere Regional (US) |
1987 | Off-Broadway |
Original Off-Broadway Production Off-Broadway |
2022 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Return Production Off-Broadway |
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