‘My Life As A Cowboy’ Is An Endearing Music-Filled Comedy

A charming show with heart, My Life As A Cowboy, about a young man who aspires to be a country-western dancer and move to a big city, is an incredibly funny and joyful time.

Remember when you were a teenager and the whole world was your oyster? And at the same time, you felt like maybe nothing would ever change, and the “you” that you could feel inside might have to stay in there forever? Being 17 can be tough. You’re right on the precipice of something big, but you’re not quite sure what or how that is all going to work out. It’s really good stuff to look back on, but far more difficult when you’re in it.

The new production of My Life As A Cowboy at Open Space Arts is about Conor, a queer 17 year old boy who is best friends with Zainab, a Muslim girl. Living in the town of Croydon in South London, England, Conor secretly knows that he is meant to be a country-western dancer and that he wants Zainab to enter a dance contest with him so that they can win the big prize and move out of town. With their shared love of Shania Twain, they’re sure to be a hit, but Zainab has her reservations. Later, while at work as a lifeguard, Conor tells coworker Michael about the contest, and Michael confesses that he is a secret songwriter/singer who plays guitar. Between the three of them, maybe they can work something out. Or maybe not.

This is 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.

The staging of the show is great, with half of the stage being Conor’s bedroom and the other half the lifeguard station at the pool. While this is a small theater, they use every inch of what’s available to them to appreciable effectiveness.

Conor is on stage for almost the entire production, conducting visual costume changes between scenes. As an audience member, I love being privy to “how the sausage gets made.” Backstage access is fun, and every time it happens, it’s enjoyable to watch.

Another costume choice of note is that Michael’s character is seemingly always adding an article of clothing throughout the production. He starts in swim trunks, and by the end, he even has a jacket on. Excellent tidbits that you don’t wholly notice, but they’re there to be discovered.

There is also a lot of music during the show, much of which you’ll be familiar with. Shania Twain, Dolly Parton, and Wilson Philips songs all make appearances, and there is an original that Michael spends time writing that highlights the laughable challenges of being a lifeguard.

Overall, My Life As A Cowboy is a really good time. It is an entertaining piece that will have you walking out of the theater in a good mood, with laughter on your lips, and a fondness for what you just watched. And I’m not going to reveal the finale, but you will definitely be talking about that as well.

My Life As A Cowboy runs for 75 minutes with no intermission.

Open Space Arts My Life As A Cowboy Chicago Review – My Life As A Cowboy is playing at Open Space Arts through 2/8/2026. Tickets can be purchased on the Open Space Arts website or by calling (773) 773-7837. Open Space Arts is located at 1411 West Wilson Avenue in Chicago.