Video Promos by Christian Huey: ALAMO AFTERMATH by John Cecil, Crank Collective, November 7 - 16, 2013

Crank Collective presents 

Alamo Aftermath: A Texas Revolution Operetta

Inspired by letters and memoirs from the Texas Revolution

November 7-16 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays) ,8 p.m.

City Theatre, 3823 Airport Rd. (behind the Shell station) - click for map

Tickets: $12/ $15/ $20 Info and tickets: www.texshows.com or call 512/569.6155. Thursdays tickets are all $12!

  (video by Chrisian Huey)

After the Alamo fell, the Texas army under Sam Houston retreated, leaving behind charred settlements and a mob of evacuating civilians. Heroes and villains of every background emerged in this “Runaway Scrape,” ending the battle with a victory for Texas at San Jacinto. Crank Collective, under the direction of John Cecil, tells this incredible story in a one-hour operetta featuring drama, comedy, battle scenes and music with a live band.

Second of three in a series of Texas history musicals, the production follows Tejano patriot José Antonio Menchaca from besieged San Antonio to East Texas, where he becomes embroiled in the war’s final battle. Fighting alongside him are the Barnaby brothers, reluctant soldiers who fled scandal in Georgia to claim cheap land in Texas. Based partly on Menchaca’s memoir and historical documents, the all-ages production of Alamo Aftermath tells of love of country, lust for land and the birth of the nation of Texas.

(video by Chrisian Huey)

About José Antonio Menchaca Born in San Antonio, in 1800, José Antonio Menchaca fought with Juan Seguin and Sam Houston at the battle of San Jacinto. He later led patrols around San Antonio to prevent Indian attacks, and again fought the Mexican army in 1843. Always involved in Texas politics, he later fought for the rights of Tejano veterans to receive military pensions for defending Texas during the Revolution.

Cast and Ensemble The cast includes: Phil Rodriguez, Carl Guthrie, Dan Dalbout, Megan Ortiz, Christian Huey, Kimberley Wilson, John Medberry, Matt Melton, Doug Rensi, Lucy Miller-Downing and John Stephens. The band is Jonathan Hoyle, Chris La Cava, John Cecil.

About Crank Collective Crank Collective is a rotating group of actors, musicians and theatrical artists which has performed in New York, Prague and Bucharest. They brought the show Epidemic of Fear: An Influenzical to Austin in 2009 and then Drone in 2011 (nominated for an Austin critic's Table Award for Best Musical Production). This past year, Crank Collective performed Cabeza de Vaca at the Long Center as Part 1 of the Texas History Series.

Crank Collective is a sponsored project of the Austin Creative Alliance, a non-profit arts service organization, working to advance, connect, and celebrate Austin’s creative life. Alamo-Operetta is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division.

IF YOU START A FIRE, BE PREPARED TO BURN by Kevin Kautzman, staged readiing at Hyde Park Theatre, March 3, 2013

Our inaugural staged reading will take place at Hyde Park Theatre on March 3rd, 2013 at 5PM! Hyde Park Theatre is located at 511 West 43rd St. just a 1/2 block away from 43rd and Guadalupe.

If You Start a Fire [Be Prepared to Burn]

By Playwright & Michener Fellow Kevin Kautzman
An Internet sex comedy for the Recession Generation! Chris and Lucy are American twenty-somethings struggling to get by during the Great Recession. They hate their jobs, but at least they have each other and health insurance! That is until Chris loses his job…
Join us for the first Austin, Texas reading of this new play! After successful premieres in Michigan and New York, here’s some of what the critics have to say:
“Hot Stuff! – An absolute gem… Kautzman is clearly a brilliant author and sophisticated wit… the play is absolutely a must-see.”
- Robert Angelone. Epicurus.com
“A Comedy That Raises Serious Questions – A sexy romp through Kautzman’s clever banter and thought-provoking comedy… If You Start a Fire… explores issues unique to the 21st Century, with themes as old as the Greek story of Pandora’s Box.”
- Patty Nolan, Detroit Examiner
“Kautzman’s text is magnificent as he submerges these two characters robbed of forethought into a trajectory of pure discovery… this cutting-edge, boundary-pushing comedy is poised to win viewers on the strength of its online and offline connections both.”
- Carolyn Hayes, RogueCritic.com
Meet the Cast…
Lauren Badell (Lucy): Lauren Badell got used to the sensations and sounds of the stage in her mother’s womb and has found it difficult to turn her back on it ever since. Attending various youth programs and performing in community theatre throughout her youth, she eventually was accepted to the Stella Adler Conservatory in New York City. She has performed in and around Austin for the past three years, working closely with the Michener program and particularly enjoys the developmental process and collaboration with playwrights. She has never once successfully kept a plant alive. Not even a cactus.
Gino Sandoval (Chris): Giovanni Sandoval is a 21 year old actor. He was most recently seen in “Gods and Idols”, “Elizabeth: Heart of King”, and “Dog Sees God”. He would like to thank his family and friends for all their support and love.

Christian Huey (Big Ben & Tommy Knocker): Christian Huey is the last standing native of Austin, TX. His film acting debut was as Zach in Damon Garrett’s Descent (2003), followed by Kyle in Tim Sanderson’s vampire mockumentary Nightlife (2005). He has performed in and written for several Austin-based comedy troupes such as The Institution Theater, The Hideout, and the comedy musical outfit The Crank Collective. He played Carl the bus driver in the Fall 2012 run of Bus Stop with The Way Off Broadway Players. Christian is also the creator of the comic strip “Things Are Happening” and co-host of the long-running comedy podcast Chicken Fried Radio.

Food and beverages will be provided. This reading is free and open to the public, with a $5 – $10 suggested donation. All proceeds go to directly support the artists.
(Click to go to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)