Overview
Synopsis
Bang Bang You’re Dead is a visceral examination of the culture that can breed violence in contemporary society, and a heartbreaking introspection at the aftermath of that violence. Alone in the darkness, teenager Josh is woken by a flashlight and a voice asking, “Why me?” Quickly and to his confusion, four other voices join – these five characters (Michael, Katie, Matt, Jessie, and Emily) are Josh’s victims from his shooting rampage in the school cafeteria that morning. They have returned to him and force him to confront and relive the events that led to that moment: his first hunting experience, heartbreak when Katie “dumped him for Michael,” bullying voices from school, his violent threat on a chalkboard, being expelled from school, and finally being forced to see a psychotherapist. He contemplates suicide, but then chooses to take his aggression, anger, and depression out on others, fatally shooting both of his parents before going to his school. Ultimately, Josh realizes what he has done and its finality, and is left with one final prayer: “Oh, God.”
Show Information
- Book
- William Mastrosimone
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 1999
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- present day, jail cell
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- Broadway Play Publishing, Inc
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Ensemble Cast, High School, Regional Theatre, Theatre, Includes Late Teen, Early Teen, Young Adult, Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Angered and motivated by high school shootings that happened in the mid-90’s, playwright William Mastrosimone wrote Bang Bang You’re Dead as a royalty-free show for teenagers to discuss bullying and violence in schools. The central character, Josh, was inspired by the real-life Kip Kinkel from Thurston High School in Oregon. Other scenes in the play – such as threats on the chalkboard – are also based on real events. The characters and actors within the play sometimes operate as a Greek
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Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
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Lead |
Male |
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Lead |
Male |
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Lead |
Female |
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Lead |
Female |
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Lead |
Male |
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Lead |
Female |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Either Gender |
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Supporting |
Either Gender |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Either Gender |
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Featured |
Either Gender |
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Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
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Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress