VACT's new play Cowboy Versus Samurai retells Cyrano with a multicultural twist
Don't miss VACT's summer production of Michael Golamco's award winning romantic comedy, Cowboy Versus Samurai, at the Firehall Arts Centre, July 20 - August 3, 2007! Buy tickets online at www.vact.ca or by calling 604.689.0926.
*Cowboy Versus Samurai July 20 – August 3, 2007
VANCOUVER, BC (July 6, 2007) – Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre (VACT) now in its eighth season continues its run as Western Canada’s only theatre group devoted solely to staging cultural stories focusing on the modern Asian experience in North America with its new production of L.A. playwright Michael Golamco’s award-winning play, Cowboy Versus Samurai. Named as one of the best plays of 2006 by new playwrights, this savagely funny play has been a hit with all audiences in New York, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Paul, and now for its Canadian premiere, Vancouver. Tickets are on sale now through the VACT.CA website and all performances are held at the Firehall Arts Centre in Chinatown from July 20 through August 3.
Cowboy Versus Samurai is a humourous and often-moving retelling of Edmond Rostand’s CYRANO DE BERGERAC set in a dusty town in Wyoming. Travis is of Korean-heritage and the high school’s English teacher. He falls immediately for the new biology teacher, the gorgeous Veronica who also happens to be the only Asian woman in town. While Cyrano’s nose is the source of his self-doubt towards romance, Travis’ self-doubt comes from his being Asian and is further compounded by Veronica’s preference for “white guys” – in particular, Travis’ friend, Del, the handsome but dim-witted phys ed teacher. However, Travis’ admiration for the white Del is tested by Chester, a crazy militant Asian who forces him to consider his Asian roots. Travis’ conflicts with his own identity collide as he tries to choose – between being the cowboy or the samurai.
Cowboy Versus Samurai is directed by Josette Jorge, as she becomes the first female director in VACT’s history. “She directed a staging of David Henry Hwang’s BONDAGE earlier in the year, and I thought it was far and away the best version of that play that I’d ever seen,” says Joyce Lam, VACT President and Founder. “Josette is a young, exciting director and we think she’s extremely talented. We’re very thrilled to be working with her.” And in VACT’s continuing role as a developer of new and emerging talent, Cowboy Versus Samurai will introduce newcomers to the VACT universe: Marc Arboleda (Travis), Lissa Neptuno (Veronica), Ryan Swanson (Del) and Minh Ly (Chester). Also, Susan Miyagishima returns to VACT as stage manager and Joyce Lam produces.
For more information please visit http://www.vact.ca.
Event Details
Cowboy Versus Samurai
@ Firehall Arts Centre
280 East Cordova Street, Vancouver
Performance Dates and Showtimes
July 20 through August 3, 2007
All evening performances at 8:00 PM, matinees at 2:00 PM
Tuesdays to Saturdays (evenings) + Sundays (matinees)
Opening Night + Reception: Friday, July 20
Closing Night + Reception: Friday August 3
Ticket prices
$17 in advance, by phone (604) 689-0926 + online (www.VACT.ca)
$22 at the door
Service charges not included
For media access please contact Joyce Lam at the e-mail address or phone number listed below, no later than July 6, 2007.
VACT (Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre) aims to produce quality plays in which Asian-Canadians take on culturally or artistically significant roles. VACT works to dispel Asian stereotypes by producing leading and/or supporting roles where Asian-Canadians are depicted realistically in the performing arts.
