Thursday, April 16, 2026

Becoming Billy . World Premiere at Mescal Movie Set

A Night Where Western History Comes Alive

Becoming Billy • World Premiere at Mescal Movie Set

Tomorrow — Saturday, April 18, 2026 • 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Tomorrow evening, the legendary Mescal Movie Set in Benson, Arizona will become the site of something that has never happened before in its long and storied history: a film premiere. And not just any film — but the world debut of Becoming Billy, a short Western drama shot on the very ground where it will be screened.

From 5 to 9 p.m., guests will step through the gates of one of the American Southwest’s most iconic filming locations — the backdrop for Tombstone, The Outlaw Josey Wales, The Quick and the Dead, and dozens of other landmark Western productions — and into an immersive evening of cinema, history, and live music.

The Film

Becoming Billy — An Outriding the Devil Origin Story is the work of Tucson-based writer and director Raen LeVell, a multi-award-winning filmmaker best known for Buffalo Daze. Drawing on historical research by acclaimed Western historian Bob Boze Bell of True West Magazine, the short film travels back to 1875 to explore one of the enduring questions of American frontier mythology: how did Henry McCarty — an orphaned Irish teenager with few prospects and fewer friends — become the legendary outlaw known to history as Billy the Kid?

The film stars Golden Garnick (1923) in the title role, with deliberate attention to McCarty’s Irish immigrant roots — including authentic accent and period colloquialisms largely absent from popular portrayals of the character. Chancey Williams, a saddle bronc champion turned CMT No. 1 country artist, makes his big-screen debut as Sheriff Harvey Whitehill, alongside Roberta Sparta (Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi) as Sarah Brown. The production was filmed on location at Mescal itself, including the hotel, livery, jail, the Young Riders set, and Virgil Earp’s house from Tombstone.

The Evening

Guests will enjoy self-guided tours of the set, walking the same ground once walked by Clint Eastwood, Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, Sam Elliott, Kurt Russell, Leonardo DiCaprio, and the many other legends whose work was shaped by this remarkable location. The saloon made famous by The Quick and the Dead will serve as the venue for a cast meet-and-greet with Williams and fellow cast members.

The main program will open with the world premiere screening of Becoming Billy, followed by screenings of two companion historical dramatizations — Quanah and Angela — produced for LeVell’s feature-length docudrama Outriding the Devil. A panel discussion with the filmmakers and cast will follow the screenings.

The evening will conclude with an intimate acoustic concert by Chancey Williams, whose authentic cowboy sound and Wyoming-rooted style promises a fitting close to a night rooted in the living traditions of the American West.

The Larger Story

Becoming Billy serves as an origin story and prologue to Outriding the Devil, LeVell’s feature-length docudrama chronicling the remarkable life of Angela Ganter — world champion barrel racer, Texas Rodeo Hall of Famer, and stage 4 breast cancer survivor. Hailed as “Masterful” by the Houston Chronicle and “An unbelievable true story” by Sports Illustrated, the documentary premiered at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas and features narration by Forrie J. Smith (Yellowstone) and a soundtrack by Grammy-nominated artist Radney Foster. Its Arizona premiere follows one week later, on April 25, at Pollack Tempe Cinemas, with a Q&A featuring LeVell and cast members including Ned LeDoux.

Tomorrow night’s event will mark the first film premiere in Mescal Movie Set’s history — a fitting milestone for a location that has shaped the visual language of the American Western for generations.

Tickets & Information

Tickets are limited for this exclusive one-night engagement. Advance purchase is strongly recommended.

Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Mescal Movie Set, 1538 N. Mescal Road, Benson, Arizona

Tickets: Available on Eventbrite — tickets are limited.

Eventbrite: eventbrite.com — Becoming Billy Premier & Chancey Williams Concert

Venue website: mescalmovieset.com

Film project: Outriding the Devil / Becoming Billy

Mescal Movie Set • 1538 N. Mescal Road, Benson, Arizona • (520) 255-6662

mescalmovieset.com

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TucsonStage home: www.TucsonStage.com

Recent announcements: http://tucsonstage.blogspot.com/

Screen Veterans Join Emerging Filmmakers at University of Arizona's I Dream in Widescreen

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

School of Theatre, Film & Television

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 16, 2026

Screen Veterans Join Emerging Filmmakers at University of Arizona’s I Dream in Widescreen

Actor Craig T. Nelson on set during production of senior Clinton Willis’ Be Still, Boone — one of eleven senior thesis films premiering at I Dream in Widescreen. Photo: Julius Schlosburg.

TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) proudly presents the 21st edition of I Dream in Widescreen, its annual showcase of senior thesis films and a celebrated launchpad for emerging filmmakers. Consistently ranked among the Top 5 public film schools in the nation, TFTV will host this year’s event on Saturday, May 9, at 7 p.m. at the Fox Tucson Theatre.

This year’s showcase features appearances by acclaimed actors Jon Proudstar (Reservation Dogs) and TFTV alum Craig T. Nelson (Coach, The Incredibles, Parenthood), highlighting the strength and industry reach of the program’s rising talent.

“What’s impressed me is the enthusiasm from the professors and staff. That’s what it’s about: that sense of encouragement and energy that lets students move forward and see what might happen. Encouraging imagination — that dream, that feeling of ‘Can I escape who society is telling me I have to be?’ — is what I think is so valuable. Whether you’re writing it, filming it, or acting in it, you get to present that possibility. That’s what’s being encouraged at TFTV.”

— Craig T. Nelson, TFTV Alumnus

“Craig T. generously shared his profound insight into the craft of creating memorable screen performances and telling stories through film. He created a transformative experience for the students, and we couldn’t be more grateful to Craig T. and his team for their support. What stands out is the extraordinary range and ambition in the entire lineup of student films. We’re excited for the community to experience a showcase that reflects the incredible creativity, discipline, and imagination of our emerging filmmakers.”

— Lisanne Skyler, Senior Thesis Instructor, TFTV

“I’m especially excited to see these films presented in such a dynamic, public setting. I Dream in Widescreen represents the culmination of years of hard work, growth, and creative development for our students, and showcases their storytelling at a high level alongside industry professionals, reflecting our commitment to preparing the next generation of filmmakers.”

— Dr. Frances Gateward, Director, TFTV

All films will compete for jury prizes. This year’s panel features Jenn Wilson (Film Independent senior programmer), Justin Dobbles (TFTV alum and Vice President of Production, Disney Entertainment Television), and Jeff Yanc (Program Director, The Loft Cinema). The awards ceremony will be hosted by Andrew Flekier and Addy Sciliano.

IDIWS 2026 Film Lineup

A Tale Most Fowl — Director: Elias Rice Bensch

Be Still, Boone — Director: Clinton Willis

In Memory — Director: Sarah Astrowsky

On the Road — Director: Lindsey Policar

Game Night — Director: Mike Choi

Rebranding Bob — Director: Kaitlyn Liddicoat

Synesthesia — Director: Geen Lee

The Exchange Rate — Director: Sean Leeman

They Wait — Director: David J. Aberle

Vein — Director: Ashley Courter

Where the Birds Still Sing — Director: Donovan Heaney

Event Details

What	I Dream in Widescreen — 21st Annual Senior Thesis Film Showcase
Where	Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St., Tucson, AZ
When	Saturday, May 9, 2026 — Doors 6:00 p.m. \| Films 7:00 p.m.
Tickets	$5 general admission — foxtucson.com/event/idiws-2026/
Trailer	youtu.be/ZbwIFfOoB4Y

About I Dream in Widescreen

I Dream in Widescreen is an annual year-end celebration of UA TFTV student thesis films. Now in its 21st year, films from the graduating class compete for prizes awarded by a panel of noted industry jurors. Films premiering at I Dream in Widescreen are regularly selected by festivals worldwide, including Sundance and the Berlinale.

Sponsors include Film Tucson, Monsoon Production Services, Neil Benton Arts & Entertainment, Hanson FilmTV Endowment, Adobe, The Loft Cinema, Canon, Jane Decker and Gary Dillahunty, Soundsnap, and Blackmagic Design.

About the School of Theatre, Film & Television

The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) nurtures and develops outstanding artists and scholars via rigorous training, internationally recognized faculty, high-level internship opportunities, industry-standard resources, and hands-on production experience. TFTV is a Top 5 public film school in the United States and the only National Top 10 school located outside of Los Angeles, Boston, and New York City (The Wrap College Issue, ’25).

FTV LA, TFTV’s Los Angeles presence, was created in partnership with Film Independent to support career development for alumni and students in the heart of the entertainment industry.

University of Arizona College of Fine Arts — Arizona Arts — 1017 N. Olive Rd., Tucson, AZ 85721

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TucsonStage home: www.TucsonStage.com

Recent announcements: http://tucsonstage.blogspot.com/

Unscrewed Theater: So Much Fun This Weekend

From: Unscrewed Theater <unscrewedtheater@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 9:59 PM
Subject: So Much Fun This Weekend

🎭 This Weekend: Carousel Debuts + Superheroes + Shakespeare?!

If your weekend needs a little more laughter (and maybe a superhero or two), we’ve got you covered.

This week brings a mix of fan favorites and something brand new spinning onto the stage 👀

🎉 FRIDAY NIGHT

7:30 PM – Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed
Our house team is back doing what they do best—fast, funny, and completely made up on the spot.

9:00 PM – Carousel: UNCENSORED (17+) – DEBUT!
This is where things get very interesting.

Carousel is our newest show, where improv innovations take the stage and tomorrow’s House Teams are born.

Every second Friday, expect a rotating lineup of:

Coached teams working toward House Team status
House Player Projects—experimental formats from performers you already love

Here’s the twist: the lineup is always changing.
Acts rotate in overlapping cycles, so every show is a brand-new mix of bold ideas, musical experiments, storytelling swings, and creative risks.

Short bursts or long-form. Familiar faces or brand-new teams.
Every show is a different ride.

And this version? Uncensored. So… buckle up.

🎭 SATURDAY NIGHT

6:00 PM – Family Hour: Comic Chaos 🦸‍♂️
Our superhero improv show for kids!
The audience helps create the heroes, powers, and story live—expect big laughs, big energy, and some very questionable superpowers.

7:30 PM – Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed
Back again with more quick-witted, anything-can-happen comedy.

9:00 PM – The Backyard (17+)
Our open improv playground where anything goes (in the best way).
🎤 Players: Want in? Sign up by Thursday night to grab a spot!

🎓 SUNDAY WORKSHOP

Faking Shakespeare – ImprovBlox
🕛 Sunday, Noon–3 PM
A few spots are still open!

Speak in verse, betray your friends dramatically, and die very theatrically. No Shakespeare experience required, just a flair for the dramatic (or the ridiculous).

Whether you’re here for superheroes, Shakespeare, or the thrill of watching something completely new unfold… we’ve got a show for you.

Merry Tidings,
Unscrewed Theater

P.S. If someone dramatically monologues in iambic pentameter this weekend… just go with it.