Open Space Arts
David Zak, Director
Presents The Chicago Premiere of
CHRISTMAS, FLORIDA
by Greta Zandstra
Directed by James Yost
Featuring
Greta Zandstra
Production Stage Manager Peter
Lighting Design Lex Newman
CHRISTMAS, FLORIDA is presented through special arrangement with the Author
No Photography or Recording: Unauthorized video, photo, or audio recording is strictly prohibited and violates U.S. copyright law. All devices must be turned off and put away. Suspected use will stop the performance immediately—and it will not resume.
Open Space Arts. 1411 W. Wilson, Chicago
Opening Night December 15, 2025
Support Open Space Arts openspacearts.org
Open Space Arts is a member of the League of Chicago Theaters, Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals, LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, and the Uptown Chamber of Commerce.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
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Creative Team
Meet the Company
Greta Zandstra is delighted to return to Open Space Arts for another project. She is a Chicago-based director, actor, and intimacy professional. Recent favorite projects include intimacy direction for Angels in America at Eastline Theatre (NY) and Bright Room Called Day at Blank Theatre (Chicago); performing as Eliza in The Güt Life Christmas with Blue Gate Musicals (KY) and as Annabella/Margaret/Pamela in The 39 Steps (Chicago); and directing Henry V at Viroqua Shakespeare Festival (WI) and Mercy Killing right here at OSA.
James Yost (director) has known Greta for most of his life, and loves working with her on projects, both theatrical and otherwise. He served as the Artistic Director for Interrobang Theatre Project (Chicago), Stage Left Theatre (Chicago) and barebones theater project (charlotte, NC) . Chicago Credits include: True West, The Goat: or who is Sylvia? The North Pool (Jeff nominated), Really Really, burial at Thebes, the Amish project, Orange Flower Water. He teaches TV production, podcasting filmmaking and theater at Saint Patrick high school. Go Shamrocks!!
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American Premiere – January 23 to February 8, 2026
MY LIFE AS A COWBOY
A queer coming-of-age comedy by Hugo Timbrell
Open Space Arts proudly continues its momentum of introducing Chicago audiences to powerful new queer stories with another American premiere—building on our Jeff Award–recognized tradition of bold, contemporary, boundary-pushing theatre. In our intimate 25-seat storefront space, innovative new work comes to life just inches from the audience, creating an immediacy and emotional impact that few venues can replicate.
With My Life as a Cowboy, OSA once again brings an exciting international voice to the city, championing playwrights whose stories radiate humor, heart, and the complexity of queer identity. This production continues our mission to uplift new playwrights, celebrate queer joy, and offer Chicago fresh, adventurous theatre that can’t be found anywhere else.
About the Play
Seventeen-year-old Conor is restless in Croydon and craving something—anything—that feels bigger than his life so far. When he impulsively decides to enter a country-and-western dance competition, two unlikely allies jump in with him: Michael, his fellow lifeguard at the local leisure centre, and Zainab, razor-sharp, big-hearted, and never short on opinions.
What begins as a half-joke turns into a joyful, chaotic, and deeply human journey of reinvention. As the trio rehearse and collide, they discover trust, courage, and the unexpected power of leaning on one another. Their path to the stage is messy, hilarious, and full of heart—proving that even the smallest dreams can transform a life when shared with the right people.
Rooted in humor, queer joy, and a celebration of chosen family, My Life as a Cowboy is a vibrant new play about identity, community, and daring to dance toward the life you imagine for yourself.
Critical Praise for the Original Production
“A highly amusing feel-good story… You’ll leave the theatre with a smile on your face and feeling a little bit better about the world.”
— Jack The Lad Magazine
“Light-hearted and funny, with strong performances and real charm.”
— A Youngish Perspective
“Touching, charming and heart-warming… Their lives get better.”
— ReviewsGate
“A fun show with witty and laughable moments.”
— The Spy in the Stalls
About the Playwright – Hugo Timbrell
Hugo Timbrell is a queer, dyslexic playwright based in London whose work centers on bold, unconventional protagonists and stories rarely given center stage. He has served as Writer-in-Residence at Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre and was long-listed for the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting in 2019. Timbrell’s plays have been developed with the Royal Court, Soho Theatre, and BBC Writersroom.
My Life as a Cowboy premiered at the Omnibus Theatre in 2024 and is published by Methuen Drama/Bloomsbury.
Performance Details
January 23 – February 8, 2026
Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 PM
Sundays at 2:00 PM
Tickets: $25–$30
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We’re delighted to announce that our next film at FACETS Film Forum is Bedtime Stories, screening on January 26 at 7:00 p.m. at 1517 West Fullerton. This beautifully intimate work comes from filmmaker Noel Alejandro—and audiences will have the rare chance to meet him in person, as he joins us from Berlin for this special event.
Alejandro, an independent director from Barcelona known for his artful, emotionally honest approach to queer erotic cinema, continues to captivate audiences with Bedtime Stories, a series that blends lush cinematography with sensual, introspective storytelling. This newest chapter offers an erotic treat that invites viewers into the tender, vulnerable moments of connection he captures so well.
Stay after the screening to meet Noel Alejandro and explore the creative world behind Bedtime Stories.