Brian Lowther04/27/09Plane Eyed CowboyOn Sunday the 26
th
, I attended
"Plane Eyed Cowboy,"
a compilation of originalworks, in the Jerry Harper Studio Theatre of the Fine Arts building of UAA. Theproduction consisted of two one-act shows,
and
“
Cowboy Mouth,”
and a set of improvisational skits. Ryan Buen wrote and directed
“Now Boarding”
; and
“Cowboy Mouth”
was written by Sam Shepard, and directed by Christina Ashby.
“Now Boarding,”
depicts a series of events in which a group of young people’scommon destination acts as a conduit for conversation, confrontation, andacceptance of their pasts and circumstances. The play takes place in an airport boarding area, and in the airplane itself. A youngman named Seth, traveling with a friend, engages in small talk with a troubledyoung lady who is periodically interrupted by her mother, via cell phone. The younglady, Riley, presses Seth to tell her where, and why he is traveling, though hemaintains a steady silence about it for the first scene. Throughout the scene, Seth’sunnamed friend encourages him to be more outgoing in pursuit of the girl; pokingfun at his shyness and inhibition. Upon hearing of complications with their incomingflight, new characters are introduced and are involved in a brief confrontation,wherein Seth, Riley and a third passenger argue and part ways.In the second scene, the two protagonists meet in a shop within the airport, andforget their argument when Seth’s buys an women’s adult magazine “for” Riley, ather behest. Their conversation is easy then, and the two discuss all but why Seth isgoing to Hawaii—something he remains mum about until later. The third scene takes place in the airplane itself. The characters enter newconversations with other characters. We are told of Seth’s poor relationship with hisfather, and it is alluded that the characters learn of Seth’s ultimate reasons for thetrip. It is not until late in the fourth scene, however, that the audience is alsoinformed. On Riley’s side, the third party from the argument apologizes insincerelyfor the scene, embellishing his own alleged work in children’s hospitals. Thediscussion ends and Riley eavesdrops on Seth and his neighbor. The fourth and fifth scenes are set in a transfer-airport’s boarding area. Upon theirarrival, Seth and the man scuffle over comments made about Riley by the man.Seth is knocked unconscious, and enters a dreamlike state wherein his father talksto him about life, regret, and hope for the future. It is implied that Seth has beentraveling alone, thus far, and that his companion was the manifestation of his fatherin his own mind.After Seth comes to, Riley reveals to him that she has terminal cancer for which shehas refused treatment. This explains the constant phone calls from distressedparents and her refusal to answer them. Seth reacts negatively, when asked toaccompany Riley in her last days. After angry words are exchanged both ways, the
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