Open Space Arts has announced it will extend the run of its North American premiere of MY LIFE AS A COWBOY for three weeks. The new closing date will be Sunday, March 1, with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 3 pm. The British comedy about an LGBTQ+ teen and his two friends opened January 23 to warm reviews on one of the coldest Chicago winter weekends in recent memory. The CHCAGO READER called it a “warm and welcome antidote” to “a night with subzero windchills, when bad news seemed to be coming in from every corner of the world.” BUZZ CENTER STAGE said, “the three actors were amazing, the entire creative team was brilliant, and MY LIFE AS A COWBOY was very, very funny.”
MY LIFE AS A COWBOY tells the story of 17-year-old Conor, who feels stuck in the London suburb of Croydon and dreams of doing something unexpected—entering a country-and-western dance competition. He’s joined by Michael, a fellow lifeguard, and Zainab, sharp-tongued, brilliant, and never shy about sharing her opinions.
Pictured L-R: Momina Shazad, Octavio Montes De Oca, Ben Chalex. Photo by Tadhg Mitchel. Click on image to access file).
Octavio Montes De Oca, who was cast as Conor, will continue in the production through February 15.
Danny Tramontana, whose Chicago credits include THE TEMPEST, ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL (Shakespeare Project of Chicago), and AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE (Sub Rosa Theatre Collective), will assume the role from February 20 through March 1. Conor’s friends Zainab and Michael will continue to be played by Momina Shazad (JORDAN & RACHELLE & ROMEO & JULIET at Edge Theatre and LAYLA THE BODY WASHER at Facility Theatre), and Ben Chalex (Rocky in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW with BrightSide Theatre).
MY LIFE AS A COWBOY premiered at London’s Omnibus Theatre in 2024 and was hailed by critics as “A fun show with witty and laughable moments” (THE SPY IN THE STALLS), and “Touching, charming and heart-warming…” (REVIEWS GATE). JACK THE LAD MAGAZINE called it “A highly amusing feel-good story… You’ll leave the theatre with a smile on your face and feeling a little bit better about the world.” Rooted in humor and queer joy, and featuring country-western music and dance, the play explores identity, chosen family, and the courage to dance toward your dreams even when the world feels small. This intimate, character-driven staging highlights the heart, humor, and youthful urgency at the center of the script—perfectly suited to Open Space Arts’ 25-seat storefront space and mission of uplifting new voices and boundary-pushing contemporary work.
Performances will be at Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson in Chicago. Tickets are $30 and are on sale now at www.openspacearts.org.
LISTING INFORMATION
MY LIFE AS A COWBOY
By Hugo Timbrell
NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Directed by David G. Zak
January 23 – March 1, 2026
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3:00 pm
Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago
Tickets $30.00 general admission, $25.00 students and seniors. On sale now at www.openspacearts.org.
Seventeen-year-old Conor feels stuck in the London suburb of Croydon and dreams of doing something unexpected—entering a country-and-western dance competition. He’s joined by Michael, a fellow lifeguard at the local leisure center, and Zainab, sharp-tongued, brilliant, and never shy about sharing her opinions.
What begins as a half-serious idea becomes a journey of self-invention as the three rehearse, clash, and ultimately learn to trust one another. Their path to the stage is chaotic, heartfelt, and full of surprises—revealing that even the smallest dreams can crack open a life when shared with the right people.
Rooted in humor and queer joy, the play explores identity, chosen family, and the courage to dance toward your dreams even when the world feels small.
BIOS
Hugo Timbrell (Playwright) is a queer, dyslexic playwright based in London. His work centers on unconventional protagonists and stories rarely given the spotlight. He was Writer-in-Residence at the Traverse Theatre (Edinburgh) and was long-listed for the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting in 2019. His plays have been developed with the Royal Court, Soho Theatre, and BBC Writersroom. MY LIFE AS A COWBOY premiered at Omnibus Theatre in 2024 and is published by Methuen Drama/Bloomsbury.
David G. Zak (Director) has won seven Jeff Awards in Chicago, including four for Directing (ANIMAL FARM, DR. SEX, PARADE, POPE JOAN), two for writing (THE HIROSHIMA PROJECT, THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO) and a special Jeff for “Fostering Diversity in Chicago Theater.” In his 27-year stint as Artistic Director of Bailiwick Repertory, he directed the world premiere production of THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER, the US premieres of Sir Peter Hall’s ANIMAL FARM and JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA, and many original works including the political dramas THE HIROSHIMA PROJECT and SIN: A CARDINAL DEPOSED. He has directed in London (THE IRISH CURSE), Seoul (DOLLHOUSE, FANTASTICK, THE GHOST’S COOKBOOK), Dublin (OH, HOLY ALLEN GINSBERG, AT THE FLASH), Boston (SIN: A CARDINAL DEPOSED), Los Angeles (DR. SEX, AT THE FLASH) and New York (MARLOWE and POSEIDON: AN UPSIDE-DOWN MUSICAL). His productions of the American Premieres of JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA, Sir Peter Hall’s ANIMAL FARM, PARADE, POPE JOAN, and Dennis DeYoung’s HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME all won the Jeff Award for best musical. His most recent Chicago productions have included: THE BOY FROM OZ, Terrence McNally’s SOME MEN, AFTERGLOW, PRISCILLA: QUEEN OF THE DESERT, THE BOOK OF MERMAN, HIS GREATNESS, and UNDER THE RAINBOW FLAG. He was inducted into Chicago’s Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2013.
OPEN SPACE ARTS, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to combating homophobia and transphobia through the transformative power of creativity and cultural expression. Our mission is to foster inclusivity, promote understanding, and empower marginalized communities by utilizing various artistic mediums to challenge discriminatory beliefs and attitudes. OSA won some of the top honors in the Joseph Jefferson Awards for work produced in 2024, including Production of a Play – Short Run (COCK), Direction of a Play – Short Run (Michael D. Graham - LIGHT SWITCH), Performer in a Principal Role – Short Run (Philip Andrew Monnett – LIGHT SWITCH), and Performer in a Supporting Role – Short Run (Sonya Robinson – COCK) . Additionally, Open Space Arts has produced SUNSETS: TWO ACTS ON A BEACH, ROSENBERG, MASSAGE THERAPY, MERCY KILLING, MR. PARKER, “it’s been ten years since everyone died. a play about final girls,” SCANDALOUS BOY, GANGSTA BABY, DORIAN and THE KRAMER PROJECT in live performances. OSA also produces the Queer Expressions Film Fest, a hybrid fest of streaming and in-person events, which runs from November 1 to July 1 annually. Open Space Arts is led by David Zak.