"I have been closely following the shows at Cookeville’s Backdoor Playhouse (BDPH) for 15 years, and I may have just witnessed their best production ever."
-Andrew William Smith,
Teacher on the Radio
link to full review
Synopsis
Years after interviewing accused serial killer John Wayne Gacy, Dr. Judy Matthewson remains haunted by the case. As a forensic psychologist, she’s spent her career searching for the cause of violence and abuse in the brain. She’s sifted through the dark corners of human depravity with scientific detachment. But to her, John’s story is different—an abyss she can’t cross. The Doctor believes this old case still holds secrets and answers buried in its wreckage.
Convinced she missed something during her interviews with John, she revisits her time with him. His story conjures images of his childhood, adult life, murders, and arrest, blurring reality and a troubled psyche. John embodies contradiction. He’s a family man, community leader, outgoing neighbor, and part-time clown who throws elaborate yard parties. He’s also a violent criminal and unreliable narrator who claims to have multiple personality disorder (DID in today’s terminology). Answers don’t come easily.
As the Doctor digs deeper, the exposure to John’s twisted tale forces her to face her own ghosts. Crawlspace goes on a mind-bending descent into the deep recesses of the human mind, exploring the enigmatic edges of sanity, the risks of true crime obsession, and the lasting legacies of abuse.
The show is in two acts. It is designed for a cast of 18-22 performers (12 main roles/ 6-10+ expandable ensemble). For smaller companies, a special doubling scheme can be employed, requiring as few as 14 actors. The music is orchestrated for piano, keyboard (synth), guitar, cello, bass, drum set, and auxiliary percussion. Fully produced rehearsal/performance tracks are also available.
The running time is 135 minutes.
Crawlspace is based on the story of a convicted serial killer. Although drawn from his own words and the public record of his life and crimes, it is a work of historical fiction. Certain names and identifying details have been changed to protect individuals' privacy. Fictional characters have been added, and liberties have been taken to differentiate this work from true-life events.
Crawlspace was premiered on November 3, 2022 by the Tech Players of Tennessee Tech University under the direction of Mark H. Creter. The musical was further developed throughout 2023 with the assistance of the Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga (Garry Posey, director/ John Thomas McCecil, musical director), culminating in the show's second full production. It will receive its international premiere in November 2025 by Auckland Music Theatre in New Zealand.
Crawlspace: A True Crime Musical
Ⓒ 2020 Glickstein & Spraggins
all rights reserved- including public performance.