What is the Butt Game?

Overview

In 1989, when playwright Savannah Reich was three years old, her daycare was shut down by the Child Protection Agency under suspicion of child abuse. The primary investigator was particularly interested in something a child called the butt game, and interviewed many of the kids and parents to try to find out how it was played. This investigation was part of the Satanic Panic; a fear sweeping the nation over the idea of Satan-worshipping sex cults that loved to abuse and ritually murder toddlers. All these accusations later proved false, but in the late 1980s, police and social workers were sure that Satanic cults were operating right under their noses. After Savannahs daycare was shut down, the parents stayed in touch; trading kids back and forth for sleepovers, hosting barbecues in the summer, and camping together on the shores of Lake Michigan. The accusation of Satanic abuse was the very thing that brought the group closer and made them into a chosen family. With the help of collaborator Connor Hogan and an ensemble of local actors, Savannah attempts to answer the question: why did CPS see danger where Savannah saw love and community? How much of truth is objective? And what actually was the butt game?

Cast

Sept 1 – Ashley Demain, Jenna Kuerzi, Megan Thibodeaux
Sept 15- Rose Luardo, Rebecca Posner, Brooke Schilling
Sept 20- Francesca Montanile Lyons, Ben Rosenthal, Mason Rosenthal
Sept 26- Ciera Gardner, Kelly McCaughan, Sarah Sanford

All nights star Connor Hogan as Savannah Reich.

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About the Artist

SAVANNAH REICH is a playwright and screenwriter based in West Philadelphia. Her play "Oedipus in Seattle" was an overall Fringie winner at the 2022 Philadelphia Fringe, and she received a commission for "What is the Butt Game" from the Lucille Lortel Theater in NYC. She is a new Assistant Professor of Playwriting & Screenwriting at Drexel University.

CONNOR HOGAN uses play to bring together folks from all backgrounds. Their most recent works include "Gilligan Gigs Again", "Dinner! Connor and Franny Write a Cookbook", and "I Have to Pay My Rent!". As a performer, they have worked with theaters such as the Folger Theater, Constellation Theater Company, and Theater Unspeakable.