In the late 1990s, a small Texas town was shocked to find one of its own burning in a backyard. Those responsible rode roller coasters in the summer heat as authorities searched. A young man quickly confessed, but the surrounding events left a mark on the small community of friends.
The story of what happened and why inspired BooTown's latest production, Death and a Roller Coaster. The shadow puppet show will employ abstract visuals and audio to illustrate the stories surrounding the event.
Death and a Roller Coaster is the second installment of Lindsay Burleson's River Bottom Series. The first, River Bottom Rules, debuted in the 2012 season and chronicled life in a semi-no-man's-land in east Texas through the eyes of a young girl.
Joining Burleson will be several new teammates including Jade Young, Mauricio Menjivar and BooTown co-artistic director Emily Hynds. Kim Champion (Wombrot/Projectorphiles) will provide an original score for the production. Joe Wozny (Mijo, Turtle Turtle, Platahontas) will provide audio engineering and Blake Whitaker (Mijo, River Bottom Rules) will provide voiceovers. The bands Something Fierce and JohnWayneIsDead are playing after the show on opening and closing night, respectively.
Schedule:
- Jan. 2, 9 p.m. - Rudyard's British Pub (2010 Waugh Dr.)
- Jan. 4, 7 and 8, 8 p.m. - Alley Kat Bar and Lounge (3718 Main St.)
- Jan. 19, 21 and 24, 8 p.m. - PJ's Sports Bar (614 West Gray St.)