Mad Horse Theatre's THE WHALE Explores The Search For Redemption With Humor And Honesty

Mad Horse Theatre presents THE WHALE By Samuel D. Hunter, directed by company member Christine Louise Marshall, November 1 - 18, 2018 at Mad Horse Theatre, 24 Mosher Street, South Portland, ME

On the outskirts of Mormon Country, Idaho, Charlie, a six-hundred-pound recluse, hides away in his apartment, slowly eating himself to death, visited only by one stalwart friend and then, by chance, a young Mormon missionary with his own reasons for hiding away. 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.

THE WHALE by Samuel D. Hunter won the Drama Desk Award, the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play, the GLAAD Media Award, as well as the Drama League and Outer Critics Circle nominations for Best Play. Hunter comments: "I wanted an emotional and physical experience that points to something divine. But I'm constantly interested in the divine bumping up against the daily and the banal. There is an experience of the divine in the play, but I try to keep it very quotidian."

The cast includes company member Burke Brimmer and guest artists; Amanda Eaton, Gus LaRou, Ella Briman and Amy Torrey. The production crew includes company members; Mark Rubin (Production Manager), Jake Cote (Sound Design), Christine Marshall (Props), and guest artists, Lauren Stockless, (Stage Manager), Arsen Scheindel, (Assistant Stage Manager), Mike O'Neal (Lighting Design), and Grace Fosler (Costume Design).

Director Marshall says, "THE WHALE is such a beautifully constructed play. While the action takes place in one small room, the playwright has created a world beyond the space, unaffected by the limitations of size or infirmity - and the main character's repeated flight to that world speaks volumes about what so many of us do when our lives become untenable - create a place in our minds to which we can escape, and be free. It's an incredible play, and this cast and crew are a real joy. I am very excited to watch it come together."

THE WHALE runs November 1 - 18, 2018, at the Mad Horse Theater in the historic Hutchins School, 24 Mosher Street, South Portland.

Performance times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, and Sunday afternoons at 2 pm. There will be an Opening Night Reception immediately following the Friday, November 2 performance. Everyone is invited to stay after the show, enjoy light snacks, and mingle with the cast, crew, and fellow theater lovers.

A Talkback is scheduled for Sunday, November 11, immediately following the 2 pm matinee. This is an opportunity to discuss the play with the director and actors. The talkback is open to everyone and usually starts around 4:15 pm. Tickets are $23 for adults and $20 for seniors and students. As always, Mad Horse offers Pay What You Can performances. Pay What You Can dates for THE WHALE are Thursday, November 1, Sunday, November 4 and Thursday, November 8. Pay What You Can tickets are only available at the door on a first come, first served basis.

Reservations are strongly recommended. Purchase tickets online at www.madhorse.com or call 747-4148 for more information. Please call for group rates.

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