The Crash at Crush at Dougherty Arts Center

A new musical comedy, based on the incredible true story of a staged train crash near the town of Crush, TX. Spurred by bankruptcy, bizarre railroad employees and the Ringling Brothers circus, William Crush creates an explosive new form of mass entertainment.  A one-hour musical comedy with a live band.

Performers include Dan Dalbout, Kelsey Kimble, Lydia Margitza, Tony Nielson, Tatyana Smith, and Matt Victory.  The band includes John Cecil, Lenny Nichols and Greg Pracht. Choreography by Navaji Nava and Aidan Dewitt.

About the real crash:
The Crash at Crush was a publicity stunt in the temporary town of Crush, Texas in 1896.  Sponsored by the MKT railroad and the Ringling Brothers Circus, two locomotives were sent hurtling towards each other for an audience of 40,000 people. This created – for one day – the 2nd largest city in Texas.  Ragtime composer Scott Joplin (“The Entertainer”) was performing in the region at the time, and he composed a piano piece called the "Great Crush Collision March" to commemorate the event.

About the Group:
Texas Comedies, based in Austin, creates and performs original musical comedies throughout Texas.  Recent shows include The Feud, Murders & Moontowers, Bonnie & Clyde and Boomtown.

 This production is supported in part by the Economic Development Department of the City of Austin.