←Recommendations of Cassie Strickland Is Not Under the Bed

Clay’s ankle is seemingly gripped by Cassie and his psyche is gripped by terror. The slow reveal is brilliant, and the ending is stunning. Ten minutes of pure suspense that will have the audience leaning in despite their fear. Excellent!

You can call it whatever you want. It takes many forms. Stress. Anxiety. Paranoia. Trauma. We don't ever get a solid, concrete reason explaining Clay's fear, and we don't need it, because whether it's founded or not (is it?), it's real to him. And it is DESTABILIZING. To say more about the contents of this play would be to ruin its magic (another reason I so adore Gatton's work), but rest assured you are in the best of hands. A delightful, horror-filled exploration of the havoc our minds can wreak.

Guilt will take its toll on a person in so many ways. Gatton gives us a great ghost story with a punch. Brief, and yet oh so powerful, this is one that needs to be seen on stage as I think there would plenty of screams coming from the audience.

Absolutely brilliant! This play takes the classic elements of the horror genre - guilt, past trauma, paranoia - presents them beautifully, ratchets up the tension steadily - and then gives us one of the best jump scares I've read in a long, long while!

The problem with being paranoid is no one believes you when someone’s actually out to get you. Fortunately, that same doubt provides tremendous fuel for suspense! Gatton draws us in and keeps us guessing as protagonist Clay is beset by a perfect storm of guilt, PTSD, dread, and terror. The phone call that comprises most of the play is literally a lifeline for him. On the other end, friend Howie’s calm rationality grounds the play in an uncertain reality. Tense, spooky, and psychologically complex, it’ll keep you, like Clay, on the edge of your bed!

Creepy, with a slow burn like a lit fuse. Visual and active, engaging in both the business and the release of information, hooking the reader early and not letting go until the fuse reaches its final destination… Plus a good moral that makes a statement on a hotbed issue of the day. Excellent.

I love this piece. It deals with so many topics and does so amazingly well. The character Clay is so interesting and compelling, that it makes his journey so captivating until the very end when the scare finally comes. Brilliant work by Gatton! I can’t wait to dive into more of his work.

I have been meaning to read more of Vince Gatton's plays related to (the fabulous!) "You Have Earned Bonus Stars," and I'm not sure what's taken me so long. It's hard to write a truly suspenseful play that's only 10 minutes long, but this sure is one. Wow. It's terrific.

Genre plays are tricky to pull off in the theatre, but this play soars. Grounding real world tragedy with the childhood horrors of things under the bed, this play balances both with an intensity that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Wow. This play is an incredible suspense drama. I completely relate to the friend who is trying to be helpful, but is also overwhelmed and doesn't know what to say. And then, the guilt and anxiety that Clay has to deal with is also just incredible and visceral. Without giving too much away, Vince Gatton lets us know what Clay is suffering with, and his trauma leads to yet another horrific consequence. I was stunned when I finished it. Wow. Great play!!