Vampire Cowboy Trilogy
nytheatre.com review by Neal Utterback
August 15, 2004
Ok, I may be biased.
I love vampires.
I love cowboys.
And I’ve been known to love a trilogy or three.
That said, Vampire Cowboy Trilogy is an innovative, energetic theatrical treat. Co-creators Qui Nguyen and Robert Ross Parker’s endeavor far transcends the term “fightsical,” which is volleyed around of late. The play blends film noir, comic book camp, and undead teenage cheerleaders into a seamless athletic event.
Nguyen, who also choreographed the fights, makes use of an arsenal of weaponry to often delightful comic effect. Director Parker controls the intimate Collective: Unconscious space with efficient, calculated staging.
The ensemble of actors is truly first-rate. A friend and I literally sat inches from the cast and, although swords and various body parts flew about, neither of us felt the least bit uncomfortable. That, in my book, is the mark of a well choreographed and well executed fight sequence. They are all lovely performers with particular attention going to Melissa Paladino.
It is, forgive the pun, bloody great.
