Photo Flash: First Look at Shuler Hensley and More in THE WHALE at Playwrights Horizons

Previews began Friday, October 12 for the Playwrights Horizons' production of THE WHALE, the New York premiere of a new play by Obie Award winner Samuel D. Hunter (A Bright New Boise). Directed by Davis McCallum (February House, A Bright New Boise, the upcoming Water By the Spoonful at Second Stage), the production has an Opening Night set for Monday, November 5 at 7PM at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

Get a first look at the cast onstage in the photos below!

Due to the overwhelming response to Playwrights Horizons' 2012/2013 season, all productions will now play longer runs to accommodate the larger subscription base. The limited engagement of THE WHALE, originally announced through Sunday, November 18, will now play through Sunday, December 2.

The Cast of THE WHALE features Theatre World Award winner Cassie Beck (The Drunken City and Prayer for My Enemy at PH, The Norman Conquests), Reyna de Courcy (Burning), Tony Award and Obie Award winner Shuler Hensley (Oklahoma!, Sweet and Sad, Young Frankenstein), Tasha Lawrence (Wilder, Wilder, Wilder; Good People) and Cory Michael Smith (The Shaggs at PH, the current Cock).

On the outskirts of Mormon Country, Idaho, a six-hundred pound recluse (Mr. Hensley) hides away in his apartment eating himself to death. Desperate to reconnect with his long-estranged daughter (Ms. de Courcy), 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.

Writing in The Denver Post on the World Premiere of THE WHALE at Denver Center Theatre in January, Ray Mark Rinaldi called it, "A rich night of theater. Very much a play of today and audiences ready to engage the times should understand its rewards."

The production features scenic design by Mimi Lien, costume design by Jessica Pabst, lighting design by Jane Cox and sound design by Fitz Patton. Production Stage Manager is Alaina Taylor.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

Shuler Hensley as Charlie and Cory Michael Smith as Elder Thomas

Shuler Hensley as Charlie and Cassie Beck as Liz

Tasha Lawrence as Mary and Shuler Hensley as Charlie

Shuler Hensley as Charlie

Shuler Hensley as Charlie

Tasha Lawrence as Mary, Cory Michael Smith as Elder Thomas, Cassie Beck as Liz and Shuler Hensley as Charlie

Cory Michael Smith as Elder Thomas and Reyna de Courcy as Ellie

Cory Michael Smith as Elder Thomas

Cassie Beck as Liz

Tasha Lawrence as Mary

Reyna de Courcy as Ellie