You Have Earned Bonus Stars by Vince Gatton

[FULL LENGTH] Danielle has survived a shocking act of workplace violence; her quiet older co-worker Jimmy has not. A small act in his final moments becomes a clue that sets Danielle off on a quest on his behalf, sending her down a rabbit hole of secrets, lies, and questions about her own place in the moral universe – and the state of the moral universe itself.

You Have Earned Bonus Stars is a...
[FULL LENGTH] Danielle has survived a shocking act of workplace violence; her quiet older co-worker Jimmy has not. A small act in his final moments becomes a clue that sets Danielle off on a quest on his behalf, sending her down a rabbit hole of secrets, lies, and questions about her own place in the moral universe – and the state of the moral universe itself.

You Have Earned Bonus Stars is a comedy about tragedy, an exploration of the judgement we all face – from the great beyond, from each other, and from ourselves.

*****This is one of a set of related plays, varying in length, genre, style, and setting but all connected in some way to a central, singular event. These plays each stand alone, so there’s no need to have read one to understand the others; but if you’re so inclined, they can be read as a unified larger work as well by reading this and its companion anthology, The Thing That Happened. That play includes:

• JAM [One Act]
• Status Update [Short]
• Cassie Strickland Is Not Under the Bed [Short]
• Things Are Looking Up [Short]
• She’s Blown Away [Short]
• Janmadin [One Act]
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You Have Earned Bonus Stars

Recommended by

  • Dave Osmundsen:
    5 Feb. 2023
    “ "Razor-sharp" feels insufficient to describe this darkly hysterical satire. From the shocking opening moments, this play establishes a VERY specific tone, and miraculously maintains it throughout this delectably wild road-trip of a play. The story takes the concept of "Do we REALLY know who are co-workers are?" and turns it on its head, slaps it on its side, and rotates it around and around, remaining thrilling, unpredictable, and devilishly entertaining. Gatton has written some KILLER monologues in here, as well as juicy roles that allow actors to be broadly comedic and incredibly vulnerable. Brilliant work! ”
  • Mildred Inez Lewis:
    5 Feb. 2023
    “ What a rich, vibrant world, artfully realized. This play doesn't just take on the "issue" of workplace violence, although there is nothing wrong with that. It searches our souls at work where so much of life happens.

    From the opening that captures the chaos of the aftermath to the powerful ending focused on Danielle, there are many well earned surprises. We rocket through the absurd to the surreal to the theater of cruelty. When Ed ends an encomium to the victims with "Danielle, who is, of course, a whore." I almost leapt out of my chair. Excellent stuff. ”
  • Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn:
    19 Dec. 2022
    “ Wow. This play is so many wonderful and terrifying things at once! The characters are distinct and strong and actors will likely be up for awards playing these parts. I won't be able to stop thinking about this play and it's comedy through tragedy in such an elegant and powerful way. If they ever produce it near me, I will be fighting to be cast in this piece! ”
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Character Information

The play is performed by five actors, but has a total of 25 characters. All actors play multiple roles, except for the actress who plays Danielle.

  • Danielle
    30-ish,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Danielle, vaguely 30-ish, any ethnicity. She appears to be the very model of a “good girl”, but that is not her whole story. As a survivor of a shocking act of violence, Danielle is experiencing the dissociation, sleeplessness, nightmares, anxiety, and distress associated with Acute Stress Disorder. Danielle is a plus-size woman, which ideally would be reflected in the casting.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Beverly
    40s-ish,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Beverly, vaguely 40-ish, any ethnicity but with a lean toward African-American. She is the mother-hen to her work friends, and is older that Danielle in temperament, if not actual age. Also plays Stephanie, a high-school girl, an Imam, and a Traveler.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Victor
    Late 20s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Victor, vaguely late 20s-ish, any ethnicity but with a lean toward API or Latino, gay. He thinks with his mouth, lacking much of a filter; he is younger than Danielle in temperament, if not in actual age. Also plays a high school Teacher, a Flight Attendant, and a Traveler.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Actress to Play Multiple Roles
    Any age -- will play characters from teens to 60s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    This female-identifying actor of any age or ethnicity plays multiple roles:
    Maryanne, a corporate executive
    Danielle’s Mom
    Barista DeeDee, a single mom
    Courtney, a high school girl
    Betty, an aging beauty who’s led a hard life
    A Rabbi
    An Airport Barista
    A Traveler

    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Actor to Play Multiple Roles
    Any age -- will play characters in their 30s through 60s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    This male-identifying actor of any age or ethnicity plays multiple roles:
    Ed, a corporate executive
    Danielle’s Dad
    Jimmy, a quiet older office worker
    James Richter, a kindly artist
    Paul, a nice vanilla guy, living a nice vanilla life
    A Priest
    Nick, a criminal
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Naked Angels NYC
    ,
    2020

Production History

  • Fringe
    ,
    Madlab Theatre, Columbus
    ,
    2022