The Bushwick Starr presents:
BLUE COWBOY
written and performed by David Cale
directed by Les Waters
October 14 - November 22, 2025
At The Bushwick Starr
FEATURING:
David Cale
CREATIVE TEAM:
Set & Props Design: Colleen Murray, Costume Design: Kaye Voyce, Lighting Design: Mextly Couzin, Sound Design: Tei Blow, Stage Manager: Siena Yusi, Assistant Costume Design: Noah Willis-Hogan, Associate Lighting Designer: Mikelle Kelly, Assistant Stage Manager: Maia G. Tivony
Line Producer: Lucy Jackson
ADDITIONAL STAFF:
Devin McCallion Fletcher (Production Manager), Jay Maury (Technical Director), Colleen Combs (Assistant Technical Director), Chavon Patterson (Box Office Manager), Jen Williams (House Manager), Justin Allen (House Associate), Jakholbi Murry (House Associate), Alexandra Holloman (Box Office Associate)
CREW:
Production Electrician: Mikelle Kelly
Wardrobe Supervisor: Noah Willis-Hogan
Sound Mixer/Operator: Malena Logan
Scenic Charge: Josh Oberlander
Scenic Painters: Josh Oberlander, Alexandra Kowalczyk
Carpenters: Maggie Heath, Eleanor Scott, Joaquim Stevenson-Rodriguez, Michael DeCaul
Electricians: Carter Cavanaugh, Jordan Barnett, Eliut Ortiz, Ezequiel Walker
Sound: Malena Logan
Marketing Artwork by Brenna O’Brien
AUDIENCE INFO:
Run Time: 90 minutes, one act
Age Recommendation: 16+ (performance contains sexually explicit language)
Closed Captioning available on October 15, 22, 30 and November 7
ASL interpreted performance on October 29
Assisted listening devices available upon request
The Bushwick Starr is a fully ADA accessible venue
SPECIAL EVENTS:
10/18: Opening Night
10/21 - Bushwick Community Night
11/1 - Starr Member Night
SUPPORT + DEVELOPMENT:
BLUE COWBOY was commissioned by The Sun Valley Playwright’s Residency, a special initiative of The Community Library’s Hemingway Writer-in-residence program in association with Sawtooth Productions.
Development of BLUE COWBOY has been supported in part, through a residency and workshop performance at Ancram Center for the Arts (Jeffrey Mousseau and Paul Ricciardi, Directors).
BLUE COWBOY is made with support from an individual commission from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA).
BIOS:
David Cale (Writer & Performer) is an award-winning performance artist, playwright, songwriter and actor based in New York City. His works as both writer and performer include We’re Only Alive for A Short Amount of Time, for which he wrote the book, lyrics and co-composed the music with Matthew Dean Marsh (Public Theater, Goodman Theatre, Obie Award, Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Solo Performance, Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Solo Show, Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Solo Performance, Jeff Award for New Musical); The History of Kisses (The Studio Theatre, Washington, D.C.); Palomino (Kansas City Rep, Kirk Douglas Theatre); A Likely Story (The New Group); Lillian (Playwrights Horizons, Goodman, Obie Award); Deep in a Dream of You (Public, MoMA, Goodman, Bessie Award), Smooch Music (The Kitchen, Goodman) and The Redthroats (P.S. 122, Second Stage, Goodman, Mark Taper Forum, Taper Too, Bessie Award).
He wrote the book, lyrics, co-composed the music for and starred in the musical Floyd and Clea Under the Western Sky (Playwrights Horizons, Goodman, Outer Critics Circle Award nomination) inspired by his experience portraying Floyd Duffner in Alex and Andrew Smith’s film, The Slaughter Rule. His songwriting credits include composing the songs for 600 Highwaymen’s Employee of the Year (Public, Bessie Award nomination), many songs with Matthew Dean Marsh, collaborations with Carol Lipnik, and lyrics for The Jazz Passengers sung by artists including Debbie Harry, Jimmy Scott, John Kelly and Elvis Costello. David wrote and narrated the text for choreographer Charles Moulton’s dance Chickens, performed by Mikhail Baryshnikov’s White Oak Dance Project, and collaborated with Dael Orlandersmith on The Blue Album (Long Wharf Theatre). His monologues have been recorded for This American Life, The Next Big Thing, Fresh Air. He is the recipient of fellowships and grants from NYSCA, the National Endowment for the Arts and NYFA and residencies at Yaddo, SPACE on Ryder Farm, Ground Floor at Berkeley Rep and the Sun Valley Playwright’s Residency at Ernest and Mary Hemingway’s house in Ketchum, Idaho, where Blue Cowboy was written.
David made his West End debut as a playwright last year with his solo play Harry Clarke, starring Billy Crudup (Ambassadors Theatre, London, Berkeley Rep, Audible Theatre, Vineyard Theatre, Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Solo Show). Other recent solo plays include Sandra, starring Marjan Neshat (Vineyard).
As an actor, he has performed in plays on and off-Broadway including The Total Bent, (Public), Mouth to Mouth, The Seagull/Woodstock, NY (The New Group). TV credits include John Early’s The Characters, Russian Doll, Poker Face. Film credits include Two Lovers, Winter in the Blood, Private Life, Vox Lux and Light From Light. David appears as John Hocknell, one of the founding members of The Shakers, in Mona Fastvold’s upcoming musical feature film, The Testament of Ann Lee, opening on Christmas Day.
David would like to specially thank Noel Allain and Machel Ross, John Baker and Jonathan Kane and the Sun Valley Playwright’s Residency, Jenny Davidson and the Community Library, Ketchum, Paul Ricciardi and Jeff Mousseau and Ancram Center for the Arts and Johanna Pfaelzer, Leigh Silverman and Berkeley Rep Ground Floor.
Les Waters (Director) is a multi Obie Award winner and Tony nominated director. Recent NY productions include Dana H on Broadway, Grief Camp at the Atlantic, and the revival of Eurydice at Signature. His work has been seen at Playwrights Horizons. Manhattan Theatre Club, NAATCO, Second Stage, Public Theatre, Vineyard Theatre, Soho Rep, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and many regional theatres. 2003-12 Associate Artistic Director Berkeley Rep. 2012-18 Artistic Director Actors Theatre of Louisville.
Colleen Murray (Set & Props Designer) is a Brooklyn based Scenic Designer. Selected design works, Blue Cowboy (Bushwick Starr), Coach Coach (Clubbed Thumb), Berlindia (The Tank), Lions (The Drake), Happy Days (The Wild Project), OHIO (Actors Theater Louisville), DIRT (Loading Dock) colleenmurraydesign.com IG: @coll3enmurray
Kaye Voyce (Costume Designer) is thrilled to make her Bushwick Starr debut. Kaye has designed costumes and scenery for companies large and small, in New York and internationally, for plays, operas, dance and idiosyncratic experiences. Recent credits include "House of McQueen”, “Uncle Vanya”, “The Welkin”, Sarah Silverman’s “The Bedwetter”, and David Cale’s “Harry Clarke”.
Mextly Couzin (Lighting Designer), credits include, Broadway: JOB. Off-Broadway: MEXODUS, Rheology, N/A, Fiasco Theatre’s Pericles, A Good Day to Me Not To You, Here We Are (ALD), Straight Line Crazy, peerless, Tambo & Bones; Regional: MEXODUS (Berkeley Rep, Baltimore Center Stage/ Mosaic), Indian Princesses (La Jolla Playhouse), HENRY 6 (The Old Globe); Das Rheingold (Seattle Opera); Incendiary (Woolly Mammoth); West Side Story (Centro de Bellas Artes Puerto Rico); La Belle et la Bête (Opera Paralléle). International: Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Nuits de Fourvière. 2023 recipient of The 1/52 Project grant. MFA University of California, San Diego ’20. mextlycouzin.com
Tei Blow (Sound Designer) is a media designer, technologist and performance maker. Tei’s work has been seen at Hartford Stage, Dance Theater Workshop, PS122, Lincoln Center, The Kitchen, BAM, The Public Theater, The Broad Stage, MCA Chicago, MFA Boston, Kate Werble Gallery, Baryshnikov Arts Center, The Roundabout, The Wadsworth Atheneum, and at theaters around the world. He has been nominated for 2 Bessie Awards, the Lucille Lortel Award, the recipient of The Obie Award, The Henry Hewes Award, NYSCA Composer's Grant, the Bessie Award, the FCA Grants to Artists Award, and the Creative Capital Award. teiblow.com
Siena Yusi (Stage Manager) is a Brooklyn-based stage manager and theatre maker who specializes in the development of new works. Recent credits include: Cold War Choir Practice (Clubbed Thumb/Page 73), This Is My Favorite Song (Playwrights Horizons), A Woman Among Women (The Bushwick Starr), Confederates (Detroit Public Theater), A Good Day to Me Not to You (Waterwell/Plate Spinner Productions), 9 Kinds of Silence (The Play Company), Stalker (KGM Theatricals), among others. Proud AEA member. BFA: NYU Tisch. www.sienayusi.com
Noah Willis-Hogan (they/them, Assistant Costume Design & Wardrobe Supervisor) is a seasoned wardrobe professional with nearly a decade of experience in costume care, quick changes, and backstage precision. Hailing from Washington, D.C., they bring a sharp eye for detail and a deep passion for theatrical storytelling to their role as Assistant Costume Designer and Wardrobe Supervisor for BLUE COWBOY. They are excited to be part of this dynamic piece. Liberation for all oppressed peoples!
Maia G. Tivony (Assistant Stage Manager) is so happy to be back at the Starr! Broadway Credits include: Harry Potter & the Cursed Child; Cult of Love. Other Credits: Twelfth Night (Shakespeare in the Park); Romeo and Juliet (Hartford Stage); let slip, hold sway (Sweat Variant); Self-Portraits (The Bushwick Starr); The Seagull/Woodstock, NY; Bernarda’s Daughters (The New Group): 1776 (American Repertory Theater); New Year’s Eve 2022: 40 Years of Phish (Madison Square Garden). BFA Emerson College.
Mikelle Kelly (she/her, Associate Lighting Designer & Production Electrician) is a Brooklyn based lighting designer, electrician, & theatre artist. She recently worked as the Associate Lighting Designer on Two Sisters Find a Box of Lesbian Erotica in the Woods at HERE Arts. Some recent electrician credits are Oratorio for Living Things at Signature, Eurydice at Signature, The Antiquities at Playwrights Horizon, Babe with The New Group, and Dave Malloy’s new musical Three Houses at Signature Theater in New York. She can usually be found working at Signature, The Bushwick Starr, BAM, Skirball, and many other staple NY spaces.
Malena Logan (Sound Mixer & Operator) is a multidisciplinary theatre artist based in New York City. They focus on management, props and scenery. Recent productions include 500 Rats (Moxie Arts New York) In the Space Between (The Theater Offensive) and Slamdance Garage (The Bushwick Starr).
Lucy Jackson (Line Producer) is a London-born, Brooklyn-based performing arts producer, who supports playwrights and multidisciplinary artists to develop, produce and tour new work. She currently produces for Salty Brine’s Living Record Collection, and has produced for Rachel Mars and Greg Wohead. Lucy has produced with venues and companies in NYC including The Bushwick Starr, NYTW Next Door, The Play Company, BAM Fisher, La MaMa ETC, the New Ohio, and JACK. She has produced national & international tours to venues including UMS Ann Arbor, the A.R.T., Cambridge, On the Boards, Seattle, Fusebox Festival, Austin, and Melbourne & Brisbane fringes. Work in the UK includes 9 years at the Edinburgh Fringe, the Latitude & VAULT festivals, and productions at the Finborough Theatre, Bush Theatre and Theatre503. Previous roles include New York Producer for Los Angeles Performance Practice, Producing Director for The Assembly, Development Director for the New Ohio Theatre, and General Manager/Touring Producer for the TEAM. She was a 2018-2020 WP Lab Fellow, co-teaches a class in Creative Producing at The New School, and is a member of the Creative Independent Producer Alliance (CIPA).
SPECIAL THANKS:
Berkeley Rep, Ancram Center for the Arts, Jenny Emery Davidson and the Staff at Ketchum Community Library, The Sun Valley Playwright’s Residency, dots