Mu Performing Arts presents
Cowboy Versus Samurai
Mu Performing Arts presents the regional premiere of Cowboy Versus Samurai, a comedic, updated version of Cyrano de Bergerac by Michael Golamco. Cowboy Versus Samurai runs February 17 – March 5, 2006 at Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis, and will be directed by Raul Aranas. The production features Jeany Park, Kurt Kwan, Sherwin Resurreccion, and John Catron.
A no-holds-barred romantic comedy, Cowboy Versus Samurai re-imagines the Cyrano de Bergerac story with an Asian American twist. The lives of the only two Asian Americans in the tiny western hamlet of Breakneck, Wyoming are turned upside down when the beautiful Veronica Lee, a Korean American teacher from New York City, moves to town. Through irony, humor, and social commentary, Cowboy Versus Samurai cleverly exposes the struggle of Asian Americans to find their place in the vast American landscape, and with each other. (Contains some mature language.)
“Cowboy Versus Samurai is a 21st century update of the Cyrano de Bergerac story in which the nose is replaced by race,” said Los Angeles playwright Michael Golamco. “Travis Park loves Veronica Lee, but Veronica only dates white men. This sets Travis on a journey through love letters that tests our perceptions of race, romance and ourselves.” “Cowboy Versus Samurai is full of beautifully twisted ironies,” explains Artistic Director Ricks Shiomi. “Golamco’s script hints at – rather than beats audiences over the head with – the underlying social issues.”
After receiving a reading at Mu’s 2004 New Eyes Festival, the world premiere production received rave reviews this fall at New York’s National Asian American Theater Company. The Village Voice called the script, “a decided success… Neither a cautious update of Cyrano, nor an earnest meditation on Asian American identity, the play instead offers a gentle, genial and frequently rather wise comedy of character and race.” The production features Jeany Park and Sherwin Resurreccion who were recently cited for “Notable Performances of 2005” in City Pages, along with Mu veteran Kurt Kwan and newcomer John Catron. New York-based Raul Aranas will direct the production.
Cowboy Versus Samurai runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm from February 17 through March 5, 2006 at Mixed Blood Theatre (1501 South Fourth Street, Minneapolis). Tickets are $16 with a $2 discount available for students and seniors and a $4 discount for groups of 10 or more. The preview performance is open to the public on Thursday, February 16 at 8pm for $8. The AD/ASL performance will be held on Sat., Feb. 25th at 8pm. AD/ASL patrons receive a discount of $7 per ticket. Reservations for all dates are available by calling the Mixed Blood Theatre box office at 612-338-6131.
About Mu Performing Arts
Founded in 1992 as Theater Mu, Mu Performing Arts is the foremost Asian American theater and taiko company in the Midwest. Recently, Theater Mu changed its name to Mu Performing Arts. This change reflects the artistic growth of the company, encompasses Theater Mu and Mu Daiko, and remains true to Mu’s core value of giving voice to the Asian American experience. Through the transformational power of their works, Mu Performing Arts successfully merges Eastern and Western, traditional and contemporary theatrical forms.
Mu Performing Arts’ mainstage season includes three Theater Mu theatrical productions, one Mu Daiko concert, and several festivals highlighting new works, emerging directors and taiko artists. Outreach programs to schools, community organizations and corporations reach over 45,000 people annually and Mu Performing Arts offers residencies and classes to develop theater and taiko skills for adults and children in the Twin Cities.
The meaning of Mu: Our Mu (pronounced “moo”) is the Korean pronunciation of the Chinese ideogram for the shaman/artist/warrior who connects the heavens and earth through the tree of life.
For more information about Mu Performing Arts call 612-824-4804 or visit www.muperformingarts.org.
