Panic: The Tale of Johnny D. Saster

This show is a coming-of-age story about a young man named Johnny D. Saster navigating the emotional peaks and valleys of panic disorder. Johnny grew up on New York's Upper East Side with a rich, privileged existence, but when it came to personal freedom, he had no existence at all under the thumb of his demanding, overbearing parents. It nearly cost him his mind. Pushed to succeed, he suffers an extreme panic attack during his SATs, leaves the test room in a daze, and walks right into traffic on Fifth Avenue.

Part of this story – Johnny’s dream state as a patient in the ICU – unfolds as a fantastical, symbolic adventure, often compared to a modern-day Wizard of Oz-like journey of self-discovery and personal triumph inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

This show examines debilitating mental health challenges afflicting millions, young and old alike, around the world. Tragic and funny in parts, listeners will feel the raw emotion in this highly imaginative tale and love story. Various topics and challenges in mental health discussions are included such as: helicopter parenting and its psychological consequences, adolescent anxiety in a high-pressure society, and the search for authentic selfhood.

The show also includes a full original soundtrack by the band Social Void, embedded throughout the narrative, creating an immersive musical and literary experience. Social Void’s lead, Chip Cooley, suffered from panic disorder, and the band’s music reflects that personal journey. Panic is narrated entirely by AI voices, while the story, music, and overall production are human-created, forming a unique hybrid of man and machine.

Tune in to follow Johnny’s both terrifying and uplifting journey, and discover how confronting and overcoming panic can lead to profound personal growth.