The Pizza Bomber Play, a Devoted Surrender

M. Harrison Photography

We all know the infamous story of Erie's Pizza Bomber, but we may not know it like this. In a locally written, directed, and produced play that fictionalizes the story to help flesh it out u2014 catch this one-of-a-kind dramatization at Basement Transmissions.

Beginning Friday, April 25

Over 20 years ago traffic came to a standstill on Peach Street as one of the most notorious crimes in Erie's history played out: The Pizza Bomber affair. We'll spare you the lurid details, which have been recounted by numerous journalists, authors, and TV programs, on account of the incident's wildly unpredictable and complex unfolding. Yet two decades later, the story still fascinates, and for David Durst, that fascination would culminate in him becoming the writer, director, and producer of The Pizza Bomber Play, a Devoted Surrender.

Written over the course of a handful of years, before its first production in 2023, the play will be newly staged at Basement Transmissions, under the auspices of owner Bob Jenson, starting in late April, with performances on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as Sunday afternoons, into mid-May.

According to Durst, "I thought audiences needed to get some sort of answers to 'why' did all this take place." That meant creating a fictional aspect to "help satisfy that need. Ultimately, Durst said, "The play asks the question, 'What if?' as we witness the decline of a beautiful, young, talented, and extremely intelligent girl, into a violent, out-of-control, mentally ill, murderous adult. Yes, she was responsible for doing horrific tragic things, but what if she had gotten help sooner?"

The mental health aspect of the story is a strong thread that weaves its way throughout the play.

"[It] is told in a tasteful and honest way, with a focus on the human aspects of struggling with untreated mental illness," Durst asserted. "The play does contain strong language, sexual situations, simulated drug use, and violence. It is for mature audiences," he added. A portion of ticket sales will go toward local nonprofit mental health organizations and the play is presented in support of Mental Health Awareness Month.

Weekends, Apr. 25 to May 10 // Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. // Basement Transmissions, 145 W. 11th St. // $20 in advance, $25 at the door // For info and tickets: basement-transmissions.square.site