Time traveling to stop a murder? Podcast opera ‘Buick City 1AM’ is one part mystery several parts song
October 25th is World Opera Day, so we’re listening to the serialized podcast opera “Buick City 1AM,” a murder mystery. The podcast’s songs and storyline were written by Jason Cady, following a woman traveling back in time to stop her father’s murder and family’s tragedies. “Buick City 1AM” is a sound-rich experience, filled with fictional crime and narrative-driven storytelling.
On the night of Ronald Reagan’s 1984 election, Flint, Michigan resident and auto worker Wayne Collins was murdered in one of Buick City’s parking lots. Before Wayne was killed, he was laid off from work and opened a shop that sold books, guns, and records. His murderer was never found, and his family was saddened. Following his death, Wayne’s son Skip committed suicide, and his daughter, Elena, wondered if different circumstances could have saved both her father and brother.
Elena seizes the chance to time travel from 2018 to 1984 to track down and stop the murderer. She arrived in 1984 several months before the crime, went undercover, and connected with her family members. Can Elena save her family and change their future? Why was Wayne targeted, and who killed him?
Start all 4 bingeable episodes from the beginning with each running under 26 minutes each. The bonus episodes are reprises of the 9 musical numbers.
“Buick City 1AM” deals with themes like greed, social politics, growing up, and more. In the 3rd episode, Elena interviewed Wayne for The Flint Voice, and Tammy believed that Wayne was having an affair with her sister, Joy. Gordon got a gun, Tammy and Elena talked about Ferraro’s election possibilities during a target shooting session, and a man arrived at .45 and Dime, looking for Bud. Wayne was threatened.
By the last episode, Elena and Skip were on watch and Wayne thought Bud stole money from their shop. Elena and Tammy shopped at the Genesee Valley Mall and Gordon accused Joy of having an affair. Elena hides in Wayne’s car on election night to catch the killer.
We recommend “Buick City 1AM” for fans of podcast musicals like “Anthem: Homunculus” or “Fall of the House of Sunshine.”
“Buick City 1AM” is now streaming wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.