Cowboy NYC Reviews and Tickets

81%

(62 Ratings)

Positive

95%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Great acting, Absorbing, Clever, Entertaining, Thought-provoking

About the Show

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.

Show-Score Member Reviews (55)

93%

Thought-provoking, Intense, Great acting, Edgy, Absorbing

See it if You want to see the inspiration behind the Lone Ranger. A Black Marshall named Bass Reeves was the ranger but due to racism was ignored.

Don't see it if You are not interested in Black history. Choose to believe distorted history. Don’t want to see good acting by Black actors.

93%

Relevant, Great writing, Great acting, Entertaining, Absorbing

See it if You enjoy great stage presence and a story that captures your imagination, heart and touches our lives today. Great energy and love

Don't see it if Don’t see it if you don’t enjoy theater. All male cast with guns and heart.

90%

Thought-provoking, Riveting, Great staging, Great writing, Great acting

See it if Well-written,well-acted,&well-staged w grt lighting&sound designs. The play, abt the 1st Afr-Am lawman,born into slavery,is set in 1888 OK.

Don't see it if To make the story more appealing,1or 2 women should b added 2 the cast. Major concern:took 80yrs x a Black cowboy to hit B'way or Off B'way. Read more

90%

Great writing, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if an interesting, pretty intense, plot about a historical figure that isn't well known

Don't see it if gun shots and some dialogue that's a bit hard to understand Read more

86%

Relevant, Great staging, Great acting, Clever, Absorbing

See it if Well acted, interesting play, tho less a bio of Bass, than a story abt repercussions of slavery, betrayal, & the West. Great use of sound.

Don't see it if Got slightly preachy at the end. Still, this is a must-see in my book.

83%

Refreshing, Clever, Absorbing

See it if Being surprised at how good it was!

Don't see it if Nothing negative

83%

Riveting, Refreshing, Great writing, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if This small budget play set in 1888, with African-American historical significance has tremendous potential. The plot was very interesting.

Don't see it if If you prefer a larger budget play or learning about the plight of African-Americans during post-reconstruction, then skip this one.

82%

Thought-provoking, Profound, Great acting

See it if You like plays based on historical events such as slavery, like in the mid to late nineteenth century

Don't see it if You like elaborate productions and very fast moving throughout the entire play Read more

Trailer

Creative team

Layon Gray

Writer / Director