Plagued by vivid recollections of trauma, Johnson struggles to separate reality from the reeling apparitions that assail his troubled mind.

Willy, depicted as a sadistic psychopath who brutally tortured and abused Johnson during his early years, appears on an antique television throughout the play to torment him and gleefully remind him of his past traumas.

"[7] In October, 2019 The Wake of Dick Johnson returned to New York at Performance Space 122; this time Walker incorporated a live score composed by Asheville, North Carolina–based musical duo Okapi (Lindsey Miller, Scott Gorski).

[11] Horror Buzz rallied behind the show, praising the performance and set design and calling Walker a "powerhouse,"[12] citing the alluring pit of existential dread and beauty in how meaningless and fleeting life is portrayed in the play.

He designed and built the set by hand, produced it himself, and even devised a series of switches to control lighting, and audio visual cues.

In the initial stages, Walker's friend, an amateur actor, was slated to play the role of Dick Johnson but withdrew shortly before the debut, citing personal reasons.

Theater management allegedly demanded censorship of what they deemed offensive and insensitive language, which Walker refused, citing artistic integrity and First Amendment rights.

This standoff resulted in extreme measures by theatre management such as locking the doors to the theater to prevent ticket holders from entering the show.

However, shortly after having the script academically peer reviewed, Lawson ceased all forms of communication with Walker without explanation, and the production was abandoned.

Walker remains committed to his artistic vision despite these challenges, seeking to continue producing and showcasing "The Wake of Dick Johnson" to wider audiences in the future.

[17] Although described as disturbing, grotesque,[18] and highly controversial, to date the play received unanimous critical praise, calling it profound, poetic and fearlessly bleak.

[19] It was listed in Time Out New York Top-13 Halloween theater events[20][21] alongside many world renowned plays such as The Glass Menagerie, Little Shop of Horrors, and Sleep No More.