Recommended by Kim E. Ruyle

Complex flawed characters. Meaningful compelling themes. Sparkling witty dialogue. An engaging mystery. What’s not to love about this play? Who is Jimmy, really? And what is it that’s driving Danielle to go to such extremes to complete her mission? As a read, You Have Earned Bonus Stars is a page-turner. On the stage, it would be a stunner. Superlative in every way. Highly, highly recommended.

Read all six of the chapters in this anthology! The story starts with the thing that happened – a horrific tragedy – and follows with five vignettes, distinct stories with distinct characters but all related in some way to the inciting incident. Vince Gatton’s storytelling reveals the wide-ranging impact of violence and gives us characters for whom we care deeply. Really an outstanding collection of short plays!

Adolescents in the throes of young love and lust and angst speak their own language, and Gatton gets it. He finds rhythm and melody in the banter of Izzy, Rupe, and Mika. All the right notes. Excellent!

Vince Gatton knows how to suck you in. He’s sneaky. Nothing on the nose. One minute you’re gliding along on the rails of well-crafted but innocuous dialogue, just some chatter between three distinctly different ER nurses, barely a hint of a problem, but then – WHAM. You’re hit between the eyes. Can’t wait for the next chapter in this story!

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!

Lee: vulnerable and painfully honest. Gabe: cocky and insightful beyond his years. The bonding between mother and son is so natural and touching. In ten minutes, Gatton reveals past, present, and perhaps portends the future. Wonderful.

Vince Gatton’s writing is sharp – sharp dialogue, sharply defined characters, and a mundane premise (a jammed piece of office equipment) sharpened to a razor’s edge. It is said that the end of every play, the end of every scene, is the beginning of another. This short play illustrates that truth beautifully. Highly recommended.

As Mel says, “You have to imagine something before it can be invented.” And thanks to Julie Zaffarano’s imagination, we are treated to the invention of the Gamma Girls, a trio of women who’ve bonded since grade school. Now, later in life, the trio deals with life and death and disappointment. Poignant. Endearing. Surprising. Highly recommended.

The protagonist in Chris Plumridge’s Forgotten, a writer, seems to have unwittingly benefited from a technique described by Elmore Leonard. Leonard claimed his process was to create characters and then just get out of their way to let them write the story. The protagonist in Chris Plumridge’s Forgotten, a writer, has created a couple of characters who help to craft the ending of the play (always the most difficult part for this playwright). Read this play – you’re likely to recognize yourself.

Doppel Date chronicles the hilarious dinner conversation between Aaron and Simone on a date at a fancy restaurant. The awkward conversation goes off the rails when alter egos, Rex and Laurie, get involved. The clever lines of dialogue are delivered at a fast pace and never let up on the humor. Great!