When Tucsonan Jon Mincks, owner of hotshotperformer.com, brings his act Downtown on Friday, Jan. 16, the first and main concern he has is safety, safety for his troupe of actors and stuntmen and safety for his audience. Although his guns are loaded with blanks, he knows they still pose a risk because those watching are so near the action.
“This show is a difficult show because the audience is so close and uncontrollable in the space,” he said. “We’re using high-powered blanks. It’s crazy to do this as close as we are to the audience. It takes a lot of experience because blanks can really hurt people and a lot of people don’t understand that.”
Still, how could Mincks transform himself into John Dillinger, the notorious gentleman bank robber, if he isn’t armed?
Find out how the slippery Dillinger was captured when Mincks plays him in the 32nd annual Dillinger Days at Hotel Congress.
It’s an opportunity to come face to face with the criminal himself (as played by Mincks) and see how the Dillinger gang almost got away but for an overly generous tip to a firefighter, who brought out Dillinger’s luggage during the fire.
Kick off the weekend with an over-21 night outing at Hotel Congress’ Dillinger Speakeasy.
Meet Dillinger himself and be entertained by The Bees Knees, featuring singers, dancers and an 11-piece swinging band and snacks. Look for the Johnny Hotshot Gun Trick Show and a best-dressed contest.
Additionally, enjoy a whiskey tasting flight, which will be available for purchase. Finally, the Cup Cafe will be serving Dillinger’s last meal, chicken fricassee, also available for purchase. However, the crew highly recommends making reservations. Tickets for the speakeasy should be purchased in advance as well.
On Saturday, Jan. 17, get set for some family-friendly fun at the place where it really all happened, Hotel Congress.
Besides two reenactments of the capture there will be the Model A’s from the Model A Ford Club of Tucson.
“They bring, like, 60 Model A’s,” Mincks said. “Some of these cars are just amazing.”
The original fire truck, now restored, that helped put out the fire in 1934 will also be on hand for inspection. Before restoration, made possible in large part by Dillinger Days, “it was a hunk of metal out in a lot somewhere that the fire department had and it was rusted and now it’s running and working and fully operable,” Mincks said. “It’s crazy how good it looks. It’s cherry red and it’s beautiful and that truck was there.”
There will be a historic artifacts exhibit featuring an original Tommy Gun and a couple of tours of the hotel will be available.
Also, down at the courthouse, get a peek at the courtroom where Dillinger was arraigned. Interestingly, Mincks said he once spoke with the court clerk who checked Dillinger in. She reported that Dillinger was “such a gentleman.”
Mincks, who produces theater in Tucson and abroad, has been bringing Dillinger to life for 32 years. He said he wrote the show from newspaper and eye witness accounts. Somehow age has gotten in the way.
“I guess the biggest problem right now is most of us are twice as old as these guys were when they died,” he said with a laugh.
All members of the troupe are professional actors and stunt people. It makes for a safer show and therefore a better show.
“I’m a stickler for safety,” Mincks said. “When we’re doing stunts, no. 1, I don’t want any of my crew to get hurt and that’s why I always use professionals who know what they’re doing. … There are just a ton of safety concerns. That’s always my concern. I’ve been doing this a long time and I’ve never had any audience member or actor get hurt and I pride myself on that.”
Mincks will be the first to tell anyone that though Dillinger Days is a lot of hard work it’s also so much fun.
“My crew is a blast,” he said. “The audience is great; I love a Tucson audience. It’s home, it’s awesome but a lot of little details.”
Dillinger Speakeasy
WHEN: doors open at 7 to 10 p.m., the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16
WHERE: Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress Street
COST: General admission: $19.06 plus dice fees and $59.74 for general admission and whiskey tasting and DICE fees
INFO: hotelcongress.com/calendar/signature-events/dillinger-days
Dillinger Days Schedule
Reenactment and Dillinger Tour
Reenactments will take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Walking tours will take place at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Meet and greet the actors will take place at 10 a.m.
Historic lecture will take place at noon
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 17
WHERE: Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress Street
COST: free to watch or $5 donation to reserve a seat for the reenactment; or $19.06/adults and $12.36/children to watch and take the Dillinger tour. This price also includes the DICE app
INFO: hotelcongress.com/calendar/signature-events/dillinger-days
Part of the proceeds go to the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation to raise funds to assist with the unmet fire-service community needs including advanced training, technology, survivor’s help, education campaigns, firefighter health and wellness and other support services.