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Whale, The

  • Samuel D. Hunter
  • Full Length Play, Drama, Present Day
  • 2M, 3F
  • ISBN: 9780573701665

A six hundred pound recluse, hiding away from the world and slowly eating himself to death, is given one last chance at redemption.

More information

Description

  • Full Length Play
  • Drama
  • 120 minutes

  • Time Period: Present Day
  • Target Audience: Adult
  • Set Requirements: Interior Set
  • Cautions: Strong Language, Intense Adult Themes

  • Performance Group:
  • College Theatre / Student, Professional Theatre, Blackbox / Second Stage /Fringe Groups

  • Accolades:
  • Winner! 2013 Lucille Lortel Award - Best Play
    Winner! 2013 Drama Desk Special Award for Significant Contribution to Theatre
    Winner! 2013 GLAAD Media Award - Outstanding New York Theatre
    Nominee! 2013 Drama League Award - Outstanding Production of a Play
    Nominee! 2013 Outer Critics Circle Awards - Outstanding New Off-Boradway Play
    Nominee! 2013 John Gassner Award - Outstanding New American Play
    Finalist! 27th Annual Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBT Drama of 2014/15
On the outskirts of Mormon Country, Idaho, a six hundred pound recluse hides away in his apartment, and slowly eats himself to death. Desperate to reconnect with his long-estranged daughter, he reaches out to her, only to find a viciously sharp-tongued and wildly unhappy teen.

Big-hearted and fiercely funny, The Whale tells the story of a man's last chance at redemption, and of finding beauty in the most unexpected places.
REVIEWS:

"Riveting... An impassioned and arresting clash of minds and emotions. I was glued to the stage... Equally dynamic and horrifying."

 New York Observer

"Vibrant and provocative... Hunter explores his material with sharp-eared skill and sensitivity."

 Village Voice

"Extraordinary. As he did in his breakthrough play A Bright New Boise, Hunter has constructed an outsize, gothic scenario in tender miniature."

 New York Magazine
FOUR STARS. 

"A deeply affecting and piercingly amusing play by Samuel D. Hunter... Leaves an emotional wallop in its wake."

 New York Daily News
CRITIC'S PICK. FOUR STARS.

"Sharp and funny... Harrowingly good, endowing [its main character] with wit and dignity."

 Time Out New York

Premiere Production: The Whale was developed in part at the Denver Center Theatre Company's 2011 New Play Summit. The play had its world premiere at the Ricketson Theatre in Denver, Colorado, presented by the Denver Center Theatre Company in January 2012. It was directed by Hal Brooks.

The play was first presented Off-Broadway by Playwrights Horizons at the Peter J. Sharp Theatre on October 12, 2012. It was directed by David McCullum.

Characters

  • Casting: 2M, 3F
  • Casting Attributes: Ensemble cast, Features Teens, Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle)

CHARLIE - Early to mid-forties, male, weighing around 600 lbs.
LIZ - Mid to late-thirties, female.
ELDER THOMAS - 19, male.
ELLIE - 17, female.
MARY - Early to mid-forties, female.

Available Material

Name Price
Whale, The Script Order Now

On the outskirts of Mormon Country, Idaho, a six hundred pound recluse hides away in his apartment, and slowly eats himself to death. Desperate to reconnect with his long-estranged daughter, he reaches out to her, only to find a viciously sharp-tongued and wildly unhappy teen.

Big-hearted and fiercely funny, The Whale tells the story of a man's last chance at redemption, and of finding beauty in the most unexpected places.

$24.95

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