The Ultimate Cheeseburger

by Jena Rashid

The employees at Chicken & Roots, Co. are just trying to make ends meet like most of working America. When those who run the place only aim to profit off the backs of these employees, who knows how far they’ll go to make a quick buck. But when one worker is finally pushed to the brink, only the unthinkable happens that turns this place on its head.

The employees at Chicken & Roots, Co. are just trying to make ends meet like most of working America. When those who run the place only aim to profit off the backs of these employees, who knows how far they’ll go to make a quick buck. But when one worker is finally pushed to the brink, only the unthinkable happens that turns this place on its head.

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The Ultimate Cheeseburger

Recommended by

  • Paul Donnelly: The Ultimate Cheeseburger by Jena Rashid
    “

    This play really captures the pain and frustration of the hourly worker. Stuart is infuriating is the most credible way. There is enough moral ambiguity in the narrative to keep the reader deeply engaged until the chilling end.

    This play really captures the pain and frustration of the hourly worker. Stuart is infuriating is the most credible way. There is enough moral ambiguity in the narrative to keep the reader deeply engaged until the chilling end.

    ”
  • Rachel Lynett: The Ultimate Cheeseburger by Jena Rashid
    “

    What a fun play! Just when I thought I knew where it was going, I was completely surprised. Full of humor, heart, and (without giving too much away) suspense, this play is definitely worth the read!

    What a fun play! Just when I thought I knew where it was going, I was completely surprised. Full of humor, heart, and (without giving too much away) suspense, this play is definitely worth the read!

    ”

Character Information

2 F/3-4 M.
Doubling Specified:
*WENDY/ERIN/LENA can be played by the same actor
*RICK/DD MIGUEL can be played by the same actor and could double as STUART if absolutely necessary
  • STUART PARSONS
    Think of every owner/boss of the place you worked when you were in college and highschool. General Manager and Owner.
    40-50’s
    caucasian
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • ALLEN MENTEUR
    The “cool” boss, you know the one.
    30’s-40’s
    Any Race
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • WENDY
    Sold her soul to the company and now gets paid to sell other people’s souls to the company. District Manager.
    30’s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • ERIN MCARTHUR
    Patron and virtually the only family that Stuart has left.
    70's
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • LENA WOODROW
    Straight-shooter and good at her job.
    30’s-40’s
    African-American.
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • RICHARD “RICK” SEGEL
    Lena’s mentee in training to become a detective. Goofy and honest and really wants to do well but has a lot to learn.
    20’s-30’s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • DOORDASHER MIGUEL
    A doordash driver
    20’s-30’s
    Male
  • ANNETTE BARRING
    She’s booksmart and knows that she does a good job, but not in an arrogant way. Cashier.
    22
    South Asian
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • ROBIN “ROB” PAK
    Has greater aspirations in life but, like many, became stuck in the never ending roadblocks of minimum wage jobs. Cashier.
    26
    Asian
    Male/Female/Nonbinary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American

Development History

  • Workshop, The Hippodrome Theatre, 2022