A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

Back County Crimes

Full-Length Play, Dark Comedy  /  6w, 4m

Book and Lyrics by Lanie Robertson
Music by Mel Marvin

A strangely beautiful play with music, Back County Crimes presents life – and, in this case, violent death – in a small town, tied together by a running commentary from the town's sole physician of many years.

Back County Crimes

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    6w, 4m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)

Details

Summary
Newly re-issued title! Similar in structure to Spoon River Anthology and Our Town, Back County Crimes presents life – and, in this case, violent death – in a small town, tied together by a running commentary by the town's sole physician of many years. The author has a savvy sense of black comedy, utilized by weaving a series of sordid tales of backwoods murder and adultery. Each vignette is either compelling or caustically comic. It is a strangely beautiful play, with music, by a writer of great ability.
History

Back County Crimes premiered off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons on October 22, 1977. Directed by Harold DeFelice, the production featured Gregory T. Daniel as Doc Autry.

Keywords
Performing Groups
  • Time Period 1970s
  • Setting The town of Duty, population 434.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Play with Music
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“A rousing affirmation of life with all its mystery and variety.” – Memphis Press Scimitar

“I am impressed by Robertson's poetic sweep of his rural Southern American dialogue and by the intrinsic truthfulness of his characterization.” – Philadelphia Daily News

“A rousing affirmation of life with all its mystery and variety... Robertson has drawn a gallery of incisive and keenly sympathetic character portraits.” – Memphis Press Scimitar

“This collection of crimes committed by the citizens of Duty is a chilling walk into the human heart, where pain slips into madness. Think Our Town, but darker.” – Battle Creek Enquirer

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

Lanie Robertson

Lanie Robertson

Lanie Robertson’s first plays The Insanity of Mary Girard and Back County Crimes are frequently performed by schools and community theatres. His play about Billie Holiday, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, was produced on Broadway and in London’s West End with Audra McDonal ...

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