Austinist Show Preview: Speeding Motorcycle @ ZACH

Infernal Bridegroom Productions and Zachary Scott Theatre Center have teamed up to bring Austin the Daniel Johnston inspired Speeding Motorcycle rock opera, starting on Valentine’s Day on the Kleberg Stage at the ZACH. The show runs until mid-April. Wednesday evening shows can be attended for a special price of $15 while discounts for seniors, students, and groups of eight or more are also available.

Johnston is somewhat of a legend in these parts, having released a plethora of albums since the 80’s, featuring poignant tales of his personal plight, while his infamous Hi, How Are You? mural on the now defunct Sound Exchange wall on 21st and Guadalupe remains an easily identifiable landmark, if not an advertisement for his sometimes under-appreciated career.

The Speeding Motorcycle opera (created and directed by Jason Nodler) takes its name from one of Johnston’s early songs and revolves around Joe the Boxer (an alter ego employed by Johnston at times). Joe falls for an undertaker’s girl but on rejection, realizes that his one opportunity to be held by the lady he desires could only occur if his dead body is prepared by the lass for burial. Perfect for Valentine’s Day indeed! Johnston’s piercing verses and accessible melodies shine through in this affecting love story, and the cast includes a fellow Austin legend (and huge Johnston fan) Kathy McCarty. According to McCarty, “The play is essentially the dramatization of (Johnston's) psyche, dealing with the iconic figures from his drawings and songs…It's all pretty trippy.”

[Speeding Motorcycle MySpace]
[Daniel Johnston MySpace]