Hey by Vince Gatton

[SHORT] A boy's quest for a safe harbor leads him unexpectedly into the most terrifying danger of his young life. A comedy (sort of?) about shopping for underwear.
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Hey

Recommended by

  • Sam Heyman:
    24 Dec. 2022
    “ The natural, effortless tension of this play! In Vince Gatton’s “Hey”, Wade is pulled in multiple directions, by his fears, desires and an underwear model of few words but a variety of evocative inflections. A delicate balancing act for the actors and writer himself, “Hey” demonstrates Gatton’s skill for writing rich, concise narratives with great power and humor. ”
  • Jeffrey James Keyes:
    24 Dec. 2022
    “ I love Gatton’s plays and this glimpse of the equally awkward and exciting “coming of age” process for so many of us little gay boys beautifully captures the good, the bad, and the ugly. I love the device he sets up with Calvin and how only Wade can see him. Thank you for this wonderful short! ”
  • Paul Donnelly:
    24 Dec. 2022
    “ Achingly true to that moment of self-discovery where who Wade realizes he is is something he desperately don't want to be. Wade's seemingly callow mother offers a moving sort of acceptance, ultimately allowing Wade to come to terms with his new-found sense of self. This play is also very funny and very theatrical in its staging possibilities.
    ”
View all 22 recommendations

Character Information

Cheryl and Wade can be played as a white family or a black family, but they probably shouldn’t be played as a mixed-race family. Ideally Calvin would evoke Tom Hintnaus, the Brazilian-born American pole vaulter of Czech descent who was the model in the iconic 1982 Calvin Klein underwear ad -- but an intimidatingly beautiful male actor of any ethnicity will do.

  • Calvin
    20s - 30s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    A box of Calvin Klein underwear, played by an impossibly beautiful young man wearing nothing but impossibly small briefs. He understands and responds to one thing: attention.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Cheryl
    30s - 40s,
    white or black
    ,
    Female
    A rural blue-collar single mom. Kinda tough and of substantial build. It may be 1982, but she looks more late-70s in the style of her hair, her tinted glasses, and her bowling shirt: 80’s fashion has not reached these parts yet.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American, White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Wade
    13 or 14 ,
    white or black
    ,
    Male
    Cheryl’s son, 13 to 14 years old. As yet unformed, but trying -- and whose desperation to get out of this nightmare scenario is hilarious right up until it isn't. A great part for a young actor with energy, timing, and emotional depth.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American, White
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

Awards

Finalist
,
National Award for Short Playwriting
,
City Theatre
,
2020