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.

[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

  • Greg Mandryk: Hey

    Something as mundane as underwear shopping becomes so much more through the lens of Vince Gatton. As touching as it is comedic.

    Something as mundane as underwear shopping becomes so much more through the lens of Vince Gatton. As touching as it is comedic.

  • Sam Heyman: Hey

    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.

    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: Hey

    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!

    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!

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Character Information

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.
  • Wade
    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.
    Character Age
    13 or 14
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    white or black
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Calvin
    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.
    Character Age
    20s - 30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Cheryl
    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.
    Character Age
    30s - 40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    white or black
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Cherry Picking, Year 2019

Awards

  • National Award for Short Playwriting
    City Theatre
    Finalist
    2020