The Whale
by Samuel D. Hunter

Name: The Whale
Brand: Samuel D. Hunter
SKU: 9780573701665
Rating: 4.3 (211 reviews)

Off-Broadway

Highlights

Female

Male

120 minsPresent DayEnsemble CastInterior SetContemporary Costumes/Street ClothesLGBTQ

Awards & Recognition

Drama Desk AwardDrama League AwardLucille Lortel AwardOuter Critics Circle

Winner! 2013 Lucille Lortel Award for Best Play Winner! 2013 Drama Desk Special Award for Significant Contribution to Theatre Winner! 2013 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding New York Theatre Nominee: 2013 Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Play Nominee: 2013 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play Nominee: 2013 John Gassner Award for Outstanding New American Play Finalist: 27th Annual Lambda Literary Award for best LGBT Drama of 2014/15

What readers are saying

Many readers are captivated by the emotional depth and character complexity in the play, appreciating its exploration of trauma, relationships, and redemption. The writing is praised for being both poignant and humorously engaging, with readers noting the skillful allusions to literary masterpieces. Although some find the characters challenging, particularly the teenage daughter, overall reactions are overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the play's ability to resonate deeply with audiences.

Emotionally gripping charactersWitty and heartbreaking dialoguePowerful exploration of traumaSome characters are difficult to relate to

Synopsis

On the outskirts of Mormon Country, Idaho, a 600-pound recluse named Charlie hides away in his apartment and slowly eats himself to death.

Desperate to reconnect with his long-estranged daughter, Charlie 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.

Press Reviews

"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

"⭑⭑⭑⭑ “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! “Sharp and funny... Harrowingly good, endowing [its main character] with wit and dignity."
— Time Out New York

"Riveting... an impassioned and arresting clash of minds and emotions. I was glued to the stage... Equally dynamic and horrifying."
— New York Observer

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Liz Mid to late-thirties, female.	female	—	Mid to late-thirties, female.
Elder Thomas 19, male.	male	—	19, male.
Ellie 17, female.	female	—	17, female.
Mary Early to mid-forties, female.	female	—	Early to mid-forties, female.
Charlie Early to mid-forties, male, weighing around 600 lbs.	male	—	Early to mid-forties, male, weighing around 600 lbs.