When she heard of the local library’s idea to collect oral histories from the towns residents, she saw a real opportunity. Markowitz previously lived in Cave Creek but now calls Carefree home. The inspiration for this play goes beyond the museum letters. Scott perform in the first run through rehearsal of the play 'Looking Back.' Markowitz directs and acts in the play, performing as the disgruntled neighbor who despises the idea of Dick and Evie considering subdivision.Īctors Dexter Johnson (left) and Jeffrey J. open space, water issues, drought, expansion and annexation, population growth,' Markowitz said.

“We’re still going through the same issues that Phoenix was going through in the 1950s as far as development vs. Playwright Andrea Markowitz says the play unveils hidden histories, but the controversies are familiar. Scroll down to the bottom of the story to see a letter from Dick Engel. Located in what is now Carefree, the couple drew criticism for subdividing the land into what is now known as Cow Track estates. In 1950, married couple Dick and Evie Engel purchased Cow Track Ranch, about 45 minutes north of downtown Phoenix. And the story is based on real Arizonans using archived letters from the Cave Creek Museum, among other records, as its foundation. It’s a Saturday rehearsal, and the first run-through of “Looking Back.” There are eight actors, some playing multiple roles.

The official kick off is this weekend, with a staged reading of a new play titled “Looking Back.”

They are performing at a run through rehearsal for the play 'Looking Back.'įor the past year and a half, Desert Foothills Library in Cave Creek has been working with the Arizona Memory Project and other partners on a 'Living Library.” The program is dedicated to preserving the history of the towns of Cave Creek and Carefree. (From left) Actors Phyllis Strupp, Peter Strupp, and playwright/director/actor Andrea Markowitz.

Woman playing with dick