MY LIFE AS A COWBOY

MY LIFE AS A COWBOY

A queer coming-of-age comedy by Hugo Timbrell

Open Space Arts proudly continues its momentum of introducing Chicago audiences to powerful new queer stories with another American premiere—building on our Jeff Award–recognized tradition of bold, contemporary, boundary-pushing theatre. In our intimate 25-seat storefront space, innovative new work comes to life just inches from the audience, creating an immediacy and emotional impact that few venues can replicate.

With My Life as a Cowboy, OSA once again brings an exciting international voice to the city, championing playwrights whose stories radiate humor, heart, and the complexity of queer identity. This production continues our mission to uplift new playwrights, celebrate queer joy, and offer Chicago fresh, adventurous theatre that can’t be found anywhere else.

Seventeen-year-old Conor is restless in Croydon and craving something—anything—that feels bigger than his life so far. When he impulsively decides to enter a country-and-western dance competition, two unlikely allies jump in with him: Michael, his fellow lifeguard at the local leisure centre, and Zainab, razor-sharp, big-hearted, and never short on opinions.

What begins as a half-joke turns into a joyful, chaotic, and deeply human journey of reinvention. As the trio rehearse and collide, they discover trust, courage, and the unexpected power of leaning on one another. Their path to the stage is messy, hilarious, and full of heart—proving that even the smallest dreams can transform a life when shared with the right people.

Rooted in humor, queer joy, and a celebration of chosen family, My Life as a Cowboy is a vibrant new play about identity, community, and daring to dance toward the life you imagine for yourself.

January 23 – March 1, 2026
Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 PM
Sundays at 3:00 PM

Tickets: $25–$30

This a really fun show. It is lively, the script is well-paced,  and you are constantly laughing. The characters are wholly relatable,  with three dynamic actors in Ben Chalex, Octavio Montes De Oca, and  Momina Shahzad, who manage a spirited chemistry between each duo as well  as the three of them."  - Allii Doubek, Entertaining Chicago                                                            

In a city that values intimate stories rooted in community, My Life as a Cowboy feels right at home in Chicago. While the play embraces familiar  coming-of-age themes, it does so with sincerity, humor, and a refreshing  sense of joy. For audiences seeking warmth, laughter, and a reminder of  the power of being unapologetically yourself, this production is well  worth the visit to Open Space Arts. - Emily Werner,  Werner's Theatre Reviews 

Art is intersectional, and Timbrell’s wonderful queer coming-of-age  comedy is indeed about I Wanna Be a cowboy, or a musician, or a dancer –  anything other than what I am right now.  We can all relate to the  longing of Conor (Octavio Montes De Oca), a queer, somewhat dweeby  17-year-old boy, to escape the constraints of his small South London  town of Croyden. 

- Sarz Maxwell,  Buzz Center Stage 

The performances are first-rate across the board. Shahzad and Chalex are  especially good at performing the vulnerabilities their characters  bring to the story—for Zainab, that’s her young person’s  self-consciousness about her Muslim identity, while for Michael, it’s a  sense of consistent underachievement. Montes De Oca brings an enthusiasm  to Conor that carries over for the tone of the entire play.  This small-scale story, going between Conor’s apartment and the pool he  works at with Michael, and finally the talent show, is nicely staged by  David Zak. Even in the confines of Open Space Arts’ small theater, the  story never seems claustrophobic and moves along at a nice clip. I saw My Life as a Cowboy on a night with subzero windchills, when bad news seemed to be coming  in from every corner of the world. This short and sweet tale about the  need for being happy with oneself—whether that’s because you’re gay or  just have the burning need to dance or make music—was a warm and welcome  antidote. -  Matt Simonette, Chicago Reader

Performance-wise, Octavio Montes De Oca brings both sweetness and  blind determination to Conor. These qualities make him a relatable force  to any audience members remembering the star spangled dreams of their  own childhoods. Momina Shahzad, meanwhile, sparkles with an enthusiastic  focus, achieving honest chemistry with De Oca. They truly seem like  best friends, making their potential fallout all the more heartbreaking.

In perhaps the show’s toughest assignment, Ben Chalex brings an edgy  likeability to Michael. Despite the character’s often selfish behavior,  he allows vulnerability and compassion to shine through in just the  right measure. He and the others also champion the humor inherent in  Timbrell’s script. All give just the right amount of punch to the many  comical situations that the characters find themselves in. This sense of joy ultimately makes this show almost seem like a vital  experience. As we enter the Midwest’s uncertain winter months,  exacerbated by governmental violence and despair, the feel good  properties here are sure to nourish anyone choosing to spend 70 or so  minutes with these exceedingly likable folks.  - Brian Kirst, Windy City  Times