This looks like another fun and culturally stimulating VACT production.  Cowboy Versus Samaurai is a multicultural re-telling of the Cyrano de Bergerac story, that was retold and reset in Nelson BC, in the Steve Martin movie “Roxanne.”  This time prepare for a Western setting of Wyoming – complete with cowboys and samaurais. I will be writing a review from the opening night performance.  Check out the following press releases, and check out the website www.vact.ca
– Todd

VANCOUVER,
BC (June 6, 2007) – Vancouver Asian Canadian
Theatre (VACT) now in its eigth 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 from

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.