Grace (Christina Martos) and Wyatt (Bruce Lamartine) share a song.  Photo by Minesh Bacrania

Review by Bonnie J. Gordon

Los Alamos Little Theatre’s production of Cowboy Poet, a C&W Musical, an original country-western musical written, composed, and directed by Deborah Magid, opened May 4 to an enthusiastic audience.

Toe tapping music, comedy and a dash of pathos combine to make Cowboy Poet a great evening at the theatre.

Cowboy Poet is set in Pojoaque and Santa Fe, and is all about New Mexico.

Wyatt Rugosa (Bruce Lamartine) is the Cowboy Poet Laureate of New Mexico. He’s carrying a torch for the widow Grace Hundertmark (Christina Martos.)

Her passion is adult literacy. When Grace and her staff throw a Gala to raise money for their foundation, everything seems to go wrong.

They enlist Wyatt to help save the day.

Bruce Lamartine captures the character of Wyatt perfectly. Wyatt is a poet with great talent, but he struggles with insecurities about himself as a man.

Things have come easy to Wyatt and he’s not sure he’s worthy of a woman like Grace.

He struggles with writer’s block and turns to drinking to bolster his courage. Lamartine’s amazing voice make Wyatt’s musical numbers a joy to listen to.

Aileen Hundertmark Johnson (Linda Taylor) makes a move on Wyatt (Bruce Lamartine.)Photo by  Minesh Bacrania

Christina Martos does a wonderful job as Grace Hundertmark.

Grace is a determined woman with great strength, but she’s also shy and unsure of herself. Martos blends these elements to present a multi-faceted, complex character.

Her marvelous musical numbers are stunning.

The romance between Wyatt and Grace is unusual and interesting. Neither is young. Both have their faults. Neither is sure of themselves or of each other.

Watching them dance toward each other brings emotional depth to Cowboy Poet.

The supporting cast is excellent.

Roxanne Tapia as Lindsay Lopez is a stand out. She makes Lindsay come alive as a young girl, excited, passionate and just a bit over the top. The sets of Cowboy Poet, designed by Los Alamos artist Fran Stovall, deserve special mention.

The adobe walls and pine floors capture the New Mexico ambiance.

The use of clever puppets is especially endearing.

Cowboy Poet features live music by The Iambic Pentameters, a five-piece ensemble headed up by Musical Director Gretchen Amstutz on keyboards, along with guitar, banjo, fiddle and bass fiddle.

The music is one of the best things about Cowboy Poet. Lively dance numbers also contribute to the fun.

Theatre goers enjoy refreshments following Friday’s opening night production of the Cowboy Poet. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

 “Cowboy Poet, a C&W Musical was developed at Cleveland Public Theatre’s Big Box series. Cowboy Poet, a Country and Western Musical will continue Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. through May 19.

There is a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee May 13. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for students and seniors and can be purchased at the door or at CB FOX. Don’t miss it.