A new solo show will portray serial killer John Wayne Gacy from the perspective of one of his victims. Titled “The Save,” the play was written by and stars Jack Merrill, the only survivor among Gacy’s victims, as he tells his own life story. An industry reading took place at 3 p.m. on April 13 at the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater; a second one is set for 3 p.m. on April 21 at the Theatre Row Theatre. Readings of “The Save” are being directed by Pam Berlin.
“Although close friends have known the darker aspects of my story, I’ve waited decades for this moment as I haven’t wanted my life reduced to some cheap sensationalistic True Crime tale,” said Merrill in a statement. “It’s easy to assume simplistic labels to define my experiences and I’ve found the only way to combat this is to tell my story myself.”
Merrill, a former assistant to David Mamet on the original production of “Glengarry Glen Ross,” has appeared on TV’s “Games People Play” and in feature films like “Limerence” and “Sugar Baby Murders.” He is a founding member of the Naked Angels theater company.
Berlin directed the 1990 Broadway play “The Cemetery Club” and numerous Off-Broadway productions, including a three-year run of “Steel Magnolias” at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.
Readings of “The Save” are being produced by Leah Michalos, Eric Nederlander, Anita Waxman, Evangeline Morphos, Michelle Campell and Kathie Berlin.
