Speeding Motorcycle

What better subject for a rock musical than a mentally ill, artistically singular songwriter? Speeding Motorcycle, the show originated by the now-defunct Infernal Bridegroom Productions, was inspired by Daniel Johnston. It was hailed as a work of great originality back in 2006, and in case you missed it, Catastrophic Theatre will reveal what the fuss was about when it premieres the film version of Speeding Motorcycle at Discovery Green. (The movie is composed of professionally filmed and edited performance footage.) Bipolar Johnston’s often childlike songs drive the production; they careen from bright to funereal. It’s the perfect complement to the story of Joe Boxer, a man driven insane by rejection. Boxer is portrayed by multiple, flat-top sporting actors, including Cary Winscott, a popular local musician and actor who died of cancer in September. Today’s event is part film premiere, part memorial, with several musicians, including Carolyn Wonderland and Horseshoe, taking the stage to cover some of Winscott’s favorite music, as well as his original songs, before the screening. The concert is at 5 p.m.; the film is at 8 p.m. 1500 McKinney. For information, call 713-400-7336 or visit www.discoverygreen.com. Free.

This article appears in Apr 2-8, 2009.