James Van Der Beek To Host Local Screenings of Texas High School Football Classic
There are only two movies that come to mind that have featured Texas high school football in the cinemas: Friday Night Lights (2004) and Varsity Blues (1999).
For the latter film’s 25th anniversary, star and current Austinite James Van Der Beek will host screenings and post-show meet-and-greets at various Texas venues over the coming weeks.
Dates include stops at Dallas, Ft. Worth, and Houston.
Van Der Beek announced the screenings on his X, accompanied by this video:
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“Varsity Blues” is one of those projects that’s stayed close to my heart. So let’s have some fun! Come watch it up on the big screen and make a night of it.
Based in the small fictional town of West Canaan, a gifted backup quarterback steps up as team captain after their starter (RIP Paul Walker) suffers an injured knee. With the pressures of the Friday night lights mounting, our protagonist desires to escape from small-town Texas for academic pursuits at Brown University.
The film was a modest hit at the turn of the century, scoring triple its small budget in box office returns. It has since went on to be a cult classic, often spoofed for Van Der Beek’s exaggerated country accent and a cringe-worthy whipped cream seduction scene. The soundtrack, blending classic rock, Texas blues, and late 90s bangers, is also worth a listen.
Despite the faux location, the movie was shot exclusively in the Lone Star State, including scenes at Elgin Independent School District, downtown Elgin, Coupland neighborhoods, and locations throughout Austin.
Tickets start at $59 and can be upgraded for a meet-and-greet with the actor following the film.
Scheduled dates and locations are listed as follows:
June 26 | House of Blues — Houston | Houston, TX
June 30 | House of Blues — Dallas | Dallas, TX
July 1 | Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall | Ft. Worth, TX
CLICK HERE to listen to the Texas HS Football Podcast, with Taylor Arenz
