The Phillip H. Lowe Performing Arts Series presents Crash at Crush

  Jessyca Brown
  Tuesday, February 11, 2025 8:45 AM
  Performing Arts

Hillsboro, TX

On Thursday, February 20, 2025, the Phillip H. Lowe Performing Arts Series will present Crash at Crush, a musical comedy produced by Texas Comedies, based in Austin, at the Vara Martin Daniel Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.

Based on the incredible true story of William Crush and a staged train crash just outside of West, Texas, near Waco, Crash at Crush tells the tale of an event fueled by bankruptcy, bizarre railroad employees, and the Ringling Brothers Circus.

An infamous publicity stunt that occurred in 1896, “The Crash at Crush” consisted of a four-mile track that was laid for the staged collision of two Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad Company locomotives as an incentive to sell two-dollar, round-trip tickets on the MKT Railroad to individuals from across the state. Before the two trains collided, the crew jumped out, abandoning them. The audience totaled to nearly 40,000 people, and the event was commemorated by composer and Texas-native Scott Joplin in “Great Crush Collision.”

“Hill College is privileged to host the first road performance of this new musical based on a historical event from our own area. Texas Comedies brings this story to life through their creative writing, staging, and an original music score that is sure to be a hit with our audiences,” said Professor of Music and Coordinator of Visual & Performing Arts Larry McCord.

Texas Comedies creates and performs original musical comedies throughout Texas. Crush creates an explosive new form of mass entertainment in a one-hour musical comedy with a live band.

Become a member of the Phillip H. Lowe Performing Arts Series and support the future performances in the series for years to come. Membership levels include: a BENEFACTOR ($100), a SUSTAINER ($50), a PATRON ($25), or a SUPPORTER ($10) of the Hill College Performing Arts Series. For a donation of $1,000 or more, you can become a LIFETIME BENEFACTOR. Names of donors appear in each program.

All supporting donations are charitable contributions. Your donation can be made in person, by calling 254.659.7707, or mailing a check or money order to:

Larry McCord Professor of Music and Coordinator of Visual & Performing Arts Hill College Visual and Performing Arts 112 Lamar Dr. Hillsboro, Texas 76645

For more information on the Phillip H. Lowe Performing Arts Series, please visit hillcollege.edu/CampusLife/PerformingArts.

All performances are free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served.