Double Helix

by Vince Gatton

[FULL LENGTH] A pair of infants inexplicably survive a deadly plane crash without a scratch. Forty years later, the now-estranged twins meet up for lunch – and the secrets buried in their origin and upbringing may end up redefining the universe as we know it. Double Helix is a sibling drama about the commitments that connect and divide us, and the spiraling strands that make up the American DNA.

[FULL LENGTH] A pair of infants inexplicably survive a deadly plane crash without a scratch. Forty years later, the now-estranged twins meet up for lunch – and the secrets buried in their origin and upbringing may end up redefining the universe as we know it. Double Helix is a sibling drama about the commitments that connect and divide us, and the spiraling strands that make up the American DNA.

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Double Helix

Recommended by

  • Michael C. O'Day: Double Helix by Vince Gatton
    “

    Religion, science, capitalism, sexuality - are these all just different names humans have given to the effort to understand existence? And are we actually trying to understand existence, or conquer it? Vince Gatton has created a breathtaking science-fiction allegory in DOUBLE HELIX to explore precisely these questions - a SATANIC VERSES for the 21st Century, interrogating particularly American varieties of fundamentalism. A magnificent head trip.

    Religion, science, capitalism, sexuality - are these all just different names humans have given to the effort to understand existence? And are we actually trying to understand existence, or conquer it? Vince Gatton has created a breathtaking science-fiction allegory in DOUBLE HELIX to explore precisely these questions - a SATANIC VERSES for the 21st Century, interrogating particularly American varieties of fundamentalism. A magnificent head trip.

    ”
  • Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn: Double Helix by Vince Gatton
    “

    This play starts off on such a sci-fi trajectory, but it miraculously (no pun intended) becomes incredibly spiritual as well. And I think this is exactly where we as humans fail to see eye to eye. Science and spirituality absolutely can and do come together in the same plane of existence. I love the connections and mysteries of this piece. There are so many wonderful ideals being depicted in this story with some very engaging characters.

    This play starts off on such a sci-fi trajectory, but it miraculously (no pun intended) becomes incredibly spiritual as well. And I think this is exactly where we as humans fail to see eye to eye. Science and spirituality absolutely can and do come together in the same plane of existence. I love the connections and mysteries of this piece. There are so many wonderful ideals being depicted in this story with some very engaging characters.

    ”
  • Doug DeVita: Double Helix by Vince Gatton
    “

    Gatton’s extraordinary work asks more questions than it answers, but those questions are deeply probing and important; there may be no answers, but that’s not the point here. “Double Helix” is theater for those who want to be provoked, challenged, and yes, entertained into questioning, well… everything. A superb work from a superb playwright.

    Gatton’s extraordinary work asks more questions than it answers, but those questions are deeply probing and important; there may be no answers, but that’s not the point here. “Double Helix” is theater for those who want to be provoked, challenged, and yes, entertained into questioning, well… everything. A superb work from a superb playwright.

    ”
View all 10 recommendations

Character Information

The play is performed by four actors, with doubling as noted.

  • BRONWEN
    American, twin sister to Denys, seen at ages 6, 16, 18, 30, and 40. Bronwen is extremely smart, logical, and craves order, and has a heart that yearns for meaning. Also plays DAPHNE, the twins' British mother, who instinctively questions authority.
    30s - 40s, to play ages 6 - 40 over the course of the play
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • DENYS
    American, twin brother to Bronwen, seen at ages 6, 16, 18, 30, and 40. Denys is extremely smart, impulsive, and full of appetite, and has a heart that is easily wounded. Also plays BRIAN, the twins' British father, who instinctively respects expertise.
    30s- 40s, to play ages 6 - 40 over the course of the play
    Any
    Male or male-presenting
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • DR. WILSON
    A scientist. In his early 70s, probably, but also appears as his younger self around ages 40 and 50. Runs a top secret government lab at Area 51 in Nevada.
    70s-ish, also seen around 40 or 50
    Any
    Male or male-presenting
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • THE FIGURE AND OTHERS
    Actor to play a BRITISH FLIGHT ATTENDANT, A WAITER, a mysterious inhuman FIGURE, RICKY, a college student, THOMAS, an American flight attendant, and JASON TERRANOVA, a journalist.
    20s - 40s
    Any
    Male or male-presenting
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man