Cowboy

He is the greatest U.S. Deputy Marshal you’ve never heard of. Many scholars believe that Bass Reeve’s life inspired the Lone Ranger character. Cowboy is set in 1888 Oklahoma Indian territory. The story follows Bass Reeves and his Indian companion as they search for two criminals fleeing to the Mexican border, one of whom Reeves has a death warrant for. They all find themselves stuck in an old saloon as a deadly tornado slowly approaches. The first full on western to hit a Broadway or off-Broadway stage in over 80 years. Reeves had a career spanning 32 years during which he apprehended over 3,000 criminals, including some of the most dangerous of his time. Despite slavery being abolished 23 years prior, its impact can still be seen in these characters’ lives in post-slavery America. Cowboy was met with immense success at the 2022 National Black Theatre Festival where tickets sold out within two days. It also recorded a live stream for ASU Gammage in February 2021.