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Texas Performing Arts reveals 2024-25 season of Broadway in Austin shows

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Texas Performing Arts reveals 2024-25 season of Broadway in Austin shows


San Marcos fans of the bright stage lights of big Broadway shows are in for a year-long treat with the Broadway in Austin 2024-2025 Season. Presented by Texas Performing Arts, next year’s season will include four Austin premieres and the return of five audience favorites.

“MJ” | Oct. 8 – 13, 2024

Kicking off the season with the legendary dance moves and brilliant musicality of Michael Jackson, “MJ” is centered around the making of the King of Pop’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour. This high-energy musical delves deeper than Jackson’s countless hits and signature style to offer a look into the transcendent artist who influenced generations of music lovers through time and worldwide. “MJ” makes its Austin premiere at the Bass Concert Hall in October 2024.

“Shucked” | Nov. 12 – 17, 2024

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Next up is “Shucked,” an American musical comedy about… corn. In-corn-ceivable as it may seem, this new musical tells the story of an unlikely hero, an unscrupulous corn con man and a battle for the heart and soil of a small Midwestern town. Directed by Tony-Award winner Jack O’Brien of “Hairspray,” audiences will be all ears for this heartfelt, corny comedy. “Shucked” will make its Austin premiere at Bass Concert Hall in November 2024.

“Peter Pan” | Dec. 10 – 15, 2024

One of the classics of musical theater, “Peter Pan” has been entertaining audiences young and old for nearly seven decades. Infused with new energy, this updated adaptation by playwright Larissa FastHorse brings Peter Pan and his mischievous fairy sidekick Tinkerbell to the bedroom of the Darling children. With nothing more than a sprinkle of fairy dust and the thinking of happy thoughts, the children take an unforgettable journey to the second star on the right, Neverland. Whether you’ve never seen it or have watched it a hundred times, this family-centric musical is sure to have you hooked. “Peter Pan” flies into the Bass Concert Hall in December 2024.

“Come From Away” | Jan. 4-5, 2025

Returning to Austin as a season option, “Come From Away” is the uplifting story of a tiny town in Newfoundland and the residents there who opened their homes and hearts to 7,000 passengers stranded on 9/11. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but over the course of the week, uneasiness dissolved into trust as the townsfolk of Gander and their wayward travelers formed an unforgettable bond. Celebrating the best of human-kindness, “Come From Away” takes the Bass Concert Stage in January 2025.

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“Clue” | Jan. 14 – 19, 2025

A fun whodunit based on the much-beloved board game, “Clue” weaves a hilarious web of suspense as six mysterious guests gather at Bloody Manor for a night of murder and mayhem. Also inspired by the fan-favorite 1985 movie, “Clue” is a play that will keep audience members guessing until the bloody end.

“Clue” will come to Bass Concert Hall in January 2025.

“Les Misérables” | Feb. 4 – 9, 2025

Still the world’s most popular musical, “Les Misérables” returns to Austin in February as a season option show. Based on the Victor Hugo novel and set against the tumultuous backdrop of 19th century France, “Les Misérables” tells interwoven stories of shattered dreams, broken lives, unrequited love, sacrifice and redemption. With a score including heart-wrenching songs such as “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Empty Chairs and Empty Tables,” viewers will want to see it again just so they can sing along once more. “Les Misérables” comes back to Bass Concert Hall in February 2025.

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“Funny Girl” | March 4 – 9, 2025

A time-worn classic featuring one of the most iconic scores in musical history, “Funny Girl” tells the story of Fanny Brice, a girl who went from the Lower East Side to headlining Ziegfeld Follies. This Broadway revival returns with timeless and celebrated songs, including “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star” and “People. This bittersweet comedy comes to Bass Concert Hall in March 2025.

“Hamilton” | March 25 – April 6, 2025

Be in the room where it happens. This generation’s biggest Broadway hit, “Hamilton” makes its return to Bass Concert Hall, so don’t throw away your shot to catch it one more time. “Hamilton” chronicles the rise and fall of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, whose legacy and vision would go on to shape the nation. With a score that incorporates hip-hop, rap and R&B with traditional Broadway music, “Hamilton” has forever changed the musical theater landscape, in much the same way Hamilton influenced the course of history. Catch “Hamilton” at Bass Concert Hall for two weeks in March and April 2025.

“Moulin Rouge! The Musical” | May 13 – 25, 2025

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Last but never least, “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” makes its Austin debut as the final spectacular, spectacular show of the 2024-2025 season. This new, pulse-pounding musical transports audiences into the seedy underworld of turn-of-the-century Paris, where penniless Bohemians and wealthy aristocrats clash beneath the whirling windmill of the Moulin Rouge. Winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” brings Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film to electric life. A celebration of truth, beauty, freedom and — above all else — love, “Moulin Rouge” makes its two-week debut at Bass Concert Hall in May 2025.

Six- and seven-show Broadway in Austin 2024-25 season subscription packages are on sale now to new subscribers. New season subscribers may add “Hamilton” as a seventh show to complete the package, with “Come From Away” and “Les Misérables” as season add-ons.

Season subscriptions start at $235 for a six-show package and $284 for a seven-show package. Subscriptions are available online at BroadwayInAustin.com or by calling 800-731-SHOW (7469) Monday through Friday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

CEO Theatre Division, Broadway Across America





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Austin, TX

Austin Police Department updates procedures after controversial deportation

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Austin Police Department updates procedures after controversial deportation


AUSTIN, Texas — An update to the Austin Police Department’s (APD) procedures outlines that officers are not required to contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when a person is found to have an ICE administrative warrant if they have no other arrestable charge.  

The update follows a controversial deportation from January, when a woman’s disturbance call to APD led to her detainment, alongside her 5-year-old child, who is a U.S. citizen.  

The incident led to questions from the community regarding the way APD is supposed to interact with ICE.  

In a March 4 memo, APD Police Chief Lisa Davis said that the directives provided by ICE administrative warrants could be confusing in their wording.

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According to Davis, officers have not historically regularly encountered administrative warrants while using the National Crime Information Center database, which is used to conduct identity checks. However, in 2025, federal agencies began entering a large volume of administrative warrants into the system.

According to the memo, administrative warrants are formatted in a way that looks similar to criminal warrants in the system.

The APD General Orders have been updated to clearly define the difference between criminal warrants and ICE administrative warrants, as well as specific instructions for how ICE administrative warrants should be handled moving forward.

“APD recognizes the sensitivity of this issue, not only within our city but across the nation. These policies were updated to provide clarity to our officers, ensure compliance with state law, and maintain officer discretion guided by supervisory oversight and operational consideration,” Davis said in the memo.

The updated procedures instruct officers to contact their supervisor when a person is found to have only an ICE administrative warrant, but no other arrestable criminal charge. From there, the officer or their supervisor may contact ICE, but is not required to.

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“Austin Police and City of Austin leadership share a paramount goal for Austin to be a safe city for everyone who lives, works, or visits here,” Davis said in the memo. “We particularly want to ensure that anyone who witnesses or is the victim of a crime feels secure in contacting the police for help.”

According to the memo, the entire APD staff will be required to complete new training regarding these updates.  

“In concert with the policy updates, APD is launching a public webpage to help people understand their rights and provide links to resources available from the City of Austin and community organizations, such as Know Your Rights training,” Davis said in the memo. “The webpage will also include information on the option of using APD Victim Services as an alternative to calling 9-1-1, when appropriate, and links to all general orders and policies related to immigration.”



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Austin, TX

Texas Plans Second Execution of the Year

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Texas Plans Second Execution of the Year


Cedric Ricks spoke in his own defense at his 2013 murder trial, something most defendants accused of a terrible crime do not do. Ricks confessed that he had killed his girlfriend, Roxann Sanchez, and her 8-year-old son. He admitted he was aggressive and had trouble controlling his anger, stating that he was “sorry about everything.” […]



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Austin, TX

Will the rest of Austin allergies seasons be as bad as cedar this year?

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Will the rest of Austin allergies seasons be as bad as cedar this year?


Austin had a particularly itchy and drippy cedar fever season to start the year. Many winter days, from late December into February, had high or very high ashe juniper (aka cedar) pollen counts. 

Central Texas has a year-round allergy season with mold popping up at any time. For the more traditional spring and fall allergy seasons, forecasters at AccuWeather are predicting some of the allergens across the country will be worse this year than average. 

Texas, though, is a different story.

For grass allergies, which happen now through September, AccuWeather estimates Austin will have an average season. However, just west of the Interstate 35 corridor in the Hill Country to almost El Paso, that season is expected to be worse than normal. 

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“Texas may experience above-average grass pollen for a few weeks,” AccuWeather’s allergy report said, “though the season could be shorter-lived compared to northern areas.” 

It all depends on the weather

How much rain we get in the next six months and the perennial Texas heat will all affect the growing season for grasses and weeds, as well as the amount of pollen trees produce. The Farmers’ Almanac and the Old Farmers Almanac are both predicting a wetter and warmer spring.

Rain helps plants grow, which can increase pollen production over time. However, rainfall during allergy season can also bring temporary relief by washing pollen out of the air. That’s what we’re expecting this weekend, with our first meaningful rain chance in nearly three weeks. Tree and weed pollen levels might briefly drop, but mold could spike because it thrives in damp, humid weather. 

If spring continues with excessive heat like we saw in February, it could limit the growth of some plants and trees. Extreme heat can reduce how much they grow, and how much pollen they produce. On the other hand, if we get a healthy balance of rain and only slightly above-normal temperatures — not extreme heat — pollen counts could climb. That’s especially true as we head into April, typically our windiest month of the year, which helps spread pollen more easily.

How can you treat allergies in Austin?

If you are feeling the effects of allergies, here are some things you can do to lessen them: 

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  • Start taking allergy medication at least two weeks before your allergen’s season is supposed to start. Keep taking your allergy medication throughout your allergen’s season, even on low-pollen days.
  • Vary your allergy medication. You can take a nasal spray, an eye drop and an oral antihistamine at the same time to treat the different symptoms. If one kind of allergy medication isn’t working, consult your doctor about whether you should add a second one or switch out the medication. 
  • Take a shower before going to bed.
  • Take off outside clothes or shoes when you get into the house.
  • Do a daily nasal wash such as a neti pot or saline spray.
  • Consider seeing an allergist to get drops or shots to lessen your reaction to the allergen. 

Consider these household tips to improve your chances of keeping allergens away:

  • Change the filters in your house regularly during cedar fever season.
  • Vacuum and sweep regularly. 
  • Change your sheets, especially your pillow regularly. 
  • Keep doors and windows closed.
  • Clean out the vents in your home.
  • Have your home tested for indoor allergens such as mold.
  • Wash and brush the animals in your house to lessen the amount of allergens in the air. 
  • Wear a mask outside or inside while you are trying to lessen the pollen or mold indoors.



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