Jack Merrill's The Save, About Surviving John Wayne Gacy, Sets NYC Readings

Jack Merrill's The Save, About Surviving John Wayne Gacy, Sets NYC Readings

Pam Berlin is directing the presentations.

April 10, 2026 By Logan Culwell-Block

Jack Merrill's solo play The Save will get two reading presentations in NYC, at The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater April 13, and Theatre Row April 21.

Merrill has both written and stars in the autobiographical work, which recounts an encounter with infamous serial killer John Wayne Gacy while a teenage runaway. The Save is the story of how Merrill was able to escape his grasp before it was too late, becoming Gacy's sole surviving victim.

“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,” says 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. I’ve chosen not to live my life as a victim and I refuse the idea that I am one. Something happened to me. After that, the choices have been mine.”

The project is being presented by Leah Michalos, Eric Nederlander, Anita Waxman, Evangeline Morphos, and Michelle Campell & Kathie Berlin.

Those interested in attending can email [email protected].