Shannon and Tammy are middle-aged friends and cohosts of the moderately successful murder podcast, “True Crime.” When the murders become mundane and they find themselves competing with everyone from Dateline to TikTok, they consider becoming part of their next story—with deadly consequences.

Hi! I'm Sarah Swift, author of True Crime. On behalf of myself and Copper Boom Productions, I am thrilled to announce that True Crime will have its world premiere this February at the Chain Theatre Winter One-Act Festival in midtown Manhattan!

The Chain One-Act Festival runs twice a year and has become an event of high repute, with past headliners such as Eric Bogosian, Jesse Eisenberg, David Rabe, and John Patrick Shanley. This year will feature plays by José Rivera and Lyle Kessler, with a performance by Carole Kane!

You may have noticed there's a bit of a gender-imbalance to that list above, which is not uncommon in the arts (or any field for that matter).

Our Team, L-R: Stephanie Israelson, Rachael Scarr, Sarah Swift

Fewer plays by women means fewer three-dimensional roles for women, particularly of a certain age. That's why I wanted to write this story. I'm a woman. The characters are women. Our director is a woman. And whenever possible, the creative team will be women. We have to make our own work and take control of our careers, much like the misguided heroines of True Crime! 

Where did this story come from, you may ask?

Like many elder millennials, I have fallen into the true-crime-as-entertainment craze. Maybe because they're a bit of a puzzle, maybe because they're technically documentaries which somehow feels superior to other reality nonsense, or maybe I just enjoy the soothing and informative voices of Andrea Canning, Blayne Alexander, and Keith Morrison. But I like Dateline. I do.

Until one day, my partner turned to me, not five minutes after we turned on an episode and said, "the husband did it." And he was right. And then I thought, what if this was more than just a disappointing realization for the audience? What if someone's livelihood depended on these murders continuing, and in fantastic fashion? What would they do? What would they be willing to do?

Left: Dateline (NBC) | Right: Gilmore Girls (Warner Bros. Television)

It's Dateline meets Gilmore Girls.

The subject matter may make some people squeamish, which is why the topic is explored as satire—it's Dateline meets Gilmore Girls. True Crime is culturally relevant, a little bit political, and delightfully diabolical! We’ll all have a good time, I promise.

True Crime by Sarah Swift

Directed by Stephanie Israelson

Starring Rachael Scarr & Sarah Swift

part of the

Chain Theatre Winter One-Act Festival

February 6 - March 1, 2026

312 W 36th Street, New York, NY

Program #10

65-Seat Main Stage, Floor 4

Saturday, Feb. 7th at 2:00pm

Wednesday, Feb. 11th at 6:30pm

*Wednesday, Feb. 18th at 8:30pm

(*Livestream option, EST)

Discount Code: CRIME26

TIX HERE

I love that we get to showcase True Crime in a one-act festival. The opportunity to spend an hour and a half hearing 2-5 different voices, with talented performers from all over New York City (and to not have to suffer too long if one of the shows is not your cup of tea) is my idea of paradise. AND there's no freakin' AI here. The theatre is perhaps the last space in the world where ideas and connections are generated by humans.

Tickets are $24.00 in advance (+20% off with CRIME26 discount code) or $27.00 at the door. But before we get there, we need your help to get this show on its feet!

Making theatre is tough in this town.

Sadly, a recent Broadway musical that cost 22.5 million dollars to capitalize announced its closing date just two weeks after opening. While our play is slightly less extravagant, our theatrical needs are the same: Productions Costs (props/costumes/set dressing), Rehearsal Space, Publicity, and compensating our spectacular Cast & Creatives.

Surpassing our goal—which is totally allowed—will provide a wonderful, creative cushion! But we MUST reach 80% of our goal ($2,000.00) in order to be "greenlit" by Seed&Spark, or your generous contribution will be returned to you. Every dollar counts.

If you'd like to support us but aren't in the position to contribute at this time, please help spread the word! At the top of the page, you'll see the FOLLOW and SHARE buttons. It is 100% free to follow our campaign for updates (this actually helps us in other ways) or share the project with someone who may wish to make a pledge!

And please come see True Crime—either in person, or via livestream! You'll get to witness your support in action!

THANK YOU FROM COPPER BOOM PRODUCTIONS!!!

Copper Boom: To accomplish a task with haste and enthusiasm.

An amalgamation of "Coppertone" and "Zip-Bam-Boom."

(Gilmore Girls, The Lorelais' First Day at Yale, S4.E2)