This Cow and That Trombone

by Steven G. Martin

TEN-MINUTE PLAY. Suzie is a dairy cow who wants more out of life than giving milk and, eventually, becoming a fast-food sandwich. But she is warned that "more" isn't part of a cow's life. Everything changes when she and her friend Effie come across a trombone in a pasture on the farm.

TEN-MINUTE PLAY. Suzie is a dairy cow who wants more out of life than giving milk and, eventually, becoming a fast-food sandwich. But she is warned that "more" isn't part of a cow's life. Everything changes when she and her friend Effie come across a trombone in a pasture on the farm.

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This Cow and That Trombone

Recommended by

  • Michael C. O'Day: This Cow and That Trombone

    Anthropomorphized animals have been teaching us how to be human since at least the days of Aesop; Martin's entry in the form, THIS COW AND THAT TROMBONE, stands apart not just for the warm humanity of its message - that we can all find fulfillment, if perhaps in unexpected ways - but for its giddy theatricality ("Stomp" with cows? Sold!) and Martin's ability to build upon his metaphor in ever more complex ways. By turns melancholy and hysterical, and always delightful.

    Anthropomorphized animals have been teaching us how to be human since at least the days of Aesop; Martin's entry in the form, THIS COW AND THAT TROMBONE, stands apart not just for the warm humanity of its message - that we can all find fulfillment, if perhaps in unexpected ways - but for its giddy theatricality ("Stomp" with cows? Sold!) and Martin's ability to build upon his metaphor in ever more complex ways. By turns melancholy and hysterical, and always delightful.

  • Morey Norkin: This Cow and That Trombone

    I can’t resist a play that includes cows. And this one did not disappoint. A contented cow, a cow that wants to be more, and a compassionate bull. What they and we learn is that it’s ok to follow your dreams, and if it at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Such a feel good story that you’ll be clapping and mooing along with this bovine trio.

    I can’t resist a play that includes cows. And this one did not disappoint. A contented cow, a cow that wants to be more, and a compassionate bull. What they and we learn is that it’s ok to follow your dreams, and if it at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Such a feel good story that you’ll be clapping and mooing along with this bovine trio.

  • Christopher Plumridge: This Cow and That Trombone

    I rejoice knowing that finally, I'm not the only playwright to pen a daft play about cows in a field! Silly yes, and it would look hilarious, but there's more to this play, there's hope, dreams, desire and music. OK, so maybe cows can never get there hooves around a trombone, but there's still sweet music to be made in this herd!
    Great fun!

    I rejoice knowing that finally, I'm not the only playwright to pen a daft play about cows in a field! Silly yes, and it would look hilarious, but there's more to this play, there's hope, dreams, desire and music. OK, so maybe cows can never get there hooves around a trombone, but there's still sweet music to be made in this herd!
    Great fun!

View all 12 recommendations

Character Information

  • BEAU
    A bull who is empathetic.
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • SUZIE
    A cow who wants more.
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • EFFIE
    A cow who is content.
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Production History

  • Type Community Theater, Organization 12th annual short play festival, Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette, Lafayette, Indiana, Year 2024