Event

Murders & Moontowers

In the 1880s, Austin was in the grip of crime, corruption and mayhem. Seven women were murdered over the course of one year, overwhelming the fledgling police force. The crime spree led to hysteria, vigilante justice, construction of the "Moontowers," and now -- 130 years later -- a musical comedy with live band.

The newest addition to the "Texas History Musicals" series coming after Crank Collective's The True Story of Bonnie and Clyde, and Boomtown -- Murders and Moontowers follows the frantic investigation of the "Servant Girl Annihilator" case. This one-hour musical explores the events that led to a scandal-ridden trial, the electrification of the city and construction of giant, iconic "Moonlight Towers" to illuminate the town. Murders and Moontowers takes an irreverent look at the corrupt detectives, crazed citizenry, and outrageous court case that roiled the capital city 130 years ago.

Cast and Ensemble
Cast includes Kera Blay, Candice Carr, Donald Evans, Carl Guthrie, Josh Meindertsma, Matt Melton, Megan Ortiz, Rachel Pallante, and Donald Stewart. Musicians include Mikey Walters, Chris La Cava, John Cecil, and Jonathan Hoyle.

About Crank Collective
Crank Collective, led by producing director John Cecil, is a rotating group of actors, musicians and theatrical artists that has performed in New York, Prague and Bucharest. The ensemble brought the show Epidemic of Fear: An Influenzical to Austin in 2009, then Drone in 2011 (nominated for an Austin Critics' Table Award for Best Musical Production). For its Texas History Series, Crank Collective recently produced Cabeza de Vaca, Alamo Aftermath, Boomtown, and The True Story of Bonnie and Clyde.

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. Murders and Moontowners is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division.