Marjorie O'Neill Butler

Although African-American cowboys rarely appear in films about the Wild West, historians estimate that one in four cowboys were Black. Set in the year 1888, "Cowboy," now playing at the Sandrell Rivers Theatre and written, directed and starring Layon Gray, is a theatrical wonder.

 

Produced by the M Ensemble Company, it is an excellent way for this theater company to celebrate fifty years of producing plays.

"Cowboy" excels in its total production and its ensemble cast of five Black men. 

First among them is Layon Gray, an imposing man who sets the scene from the beginning. Gray based his character on Bass Reeves, the first Black deputy to serve west of the Mississippi.

Reeves was born a slave and spent years in the Texas territory with his master, then escaped and lived among the Cherokee, Creeks and Seminoles and learned their languages. He was finally freed by the enactment of the Thirteenth Amendment and worked for 32 years as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory. Imposing in his statue, Gray embodies the strong-willed man who became the long arm of the law.

As Grant Johnson, Jaerez Ozolin is tall and lanky and his face catches the light, showing a strength and a keen-eyed watchfulness. Johnson, of mixed blood, worked side by side with Reeves. Ozolin plays him as an almost silent partner, using expressions to convey his emotions and he is especially interesting to watch when a scene doesn't directly involve him, like a cat creeping around the edges.

Reginald Wilson plays Levi Colton who travels with his brother Gus, played by Charles Ruben Kornegay, a sly, slightly demented man with an imaginary friend Frank. They are on the run to Mexico after Gus accidently kills a man on the train. Watch out for Gus, though, as there is more to him than what you glean from the first glance. Kornegay adds physicality to his character that adds dimension.

And finally, there is Silas Cain who owns the down and out saloon where the play is set. Isaac Beverly, a young man with great comic timing, brings levity to the stage at every turn.

While so much was in sync with the production, the sound levels were uneven and at times hard to hear the dialogue with the music and environmental atmosphere. It was most apparent during Wilson's more intimate moments.

 Every man is given his moment on stage in Gray's play.

This is a physical show with sudden fights that end a card game, a reenactment of the killing of a man on a train and finally a storm that almost brings down the saloon.  The attention to detail brings a richness to the production. 

Mitchell Ost's set, lighting and projection design create a truly realistic atmosphere. From the sand on the floor to the towering beams above, to the smoke that appears regularly, the audience is drawn in from the beginning of this moment in time.

Stage manager Cary Brianna Hart keeps everything running smoothly with a deft hand as she calls what seem like hundreds of sound, lighting and music cues.

"Cowboy" is performed this weekend from June 25 through 27. Tickets are $16. Go to themensemble.com for info.

Sandrell Rivers Theatre, 6103 NW 7th Avenue, Miami, FL 33127; Box Office: 305-284-8800. Free, safe garage parking can be accessed by NW 6th Avenue.