Denver Center Theatre Company's THE WHALE Selected as Part of Playwrights Horizons 2012-13 Season

The Denver Center Theatre Company announced today that Playwrights Horizons, located in New York City, has selected THE WHALE, by Samuel D. Hunter, as part of its 2012/13 season.  THE WHALE, which originated as a reading during the 2011 Colorado New Play Summit, has received critical acclaim and audience praise leading to the extension of the run at The Ricketson Theatre through February 25. Tickets are limited and can be purchased by calling 303.893.4100 or visiting www.denvercenter.org.  

“A primary goal of the Colorado New Play Summit is to develop and produce great new American plays that will have a future life throughout our country,” said Denver Center Theatre Company Artistic Director Kent Thompson.  “We’re excited that THE WHALE will open next season in New York—and want to thank our audiences and donors for making that possible.”

Playwrights Horizons is a writer’s theater dedicated to the support and development of contemporary American Playwrights, composers and lyricists and to the production of their new work. In its 41 years, Playwrights Horizons has presented the work of more than 375 writers and has received numerous awards and honors, including a special 2008 Drama Desk Award. For more information, visit www.playwrightshorizons.org.  

The seventh annual 2012 Colorado New Play Summit was held February 10-12 and attended by over 300 industry professionals from across the country. A sold-out favorite with the Denver public, the CNPS was, as in past years, a success with four new plays as well as one musical - an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility The Musical. The plays that were read, reflecting in many ways our rapidly changing world, included: Grace, or the art of Climbing by Lauren Feldman, The Hand of God by Richard Dresser, Homefree by Lisa Loomer and Ed, Downloaded by Michael Mitnick.

THE WHALE is the story of Charlie who hasn’t seen his ex-wife or daughter in 17 years and has grown dangerously obese since his partner’s death. In failing health, Charlie fends off family, friends and church as he doggedly tries to connect with his estranged daughter in this poignant and emotional story. 

The cast of THE WHALE includes Tom Alan Robbins (DCTC debut) as Charlie, Angela Reed (Map of Heaven, After Ashley)as Liz and Cory Michael Smith (DCTC debut) as Elder Thomas. Playing Ellie is Nicole Rodenburg (DCTC debut) and Mary is played by Tasha Lawrence (DCTC debut).

THE WHALE is by Samuel D. Hunter and directed by Hal Brooks. Scenic design is by Jason Simms (DCTC debut) while costume design is by Kevin Copenhaver (22 seasons, Dracula, Mama Hated Diesels, A Christmas Carol).  Lighting design is by Seth Reiser (DCTC debut), sound design is by William Burns (American Night: The Ballad of Juan José, Ruined, Map of Heaven), dramaturgy is by Mead Hunter (The Whale for the Colorado New Play Summit) and fight direction is by Geoffrey Kent (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Liar). 

About the playwright, Samuel D. Hunter: Debut at the Denver Center.  Recent plays: A Bright New Boise (2011 Obie Award for Playwriting, 2011 Drama Desk Nomination for Best Play; premiered by Partial Comfort Productions in NYC, recent production at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company), A Permanent Image (Boise Contemporary Theater), Jack’s Precious Moment (59E59 Theaters), Five Genocides (Clubbed Thumb).  Sam has active commissions from MTC/Sloan, Seattle Rep, and South Coast Rep. Awards: 2008-2009 PONY Fellowship, the 2011 Sky Cooper Prize, two Lincoln Center Le Compte du Nuoy Awards, others.  A native of northern Idaho, Sam lives in New York City.  He holds degrees in playwriting from NYU, the Iowa Playwrights Workshop, and Juilliard.

Single tickets for THE WHALE start at $35 (non-SCFD) and also are available for $10 (SCFD 10 for $10 Program) and are on sale now. To purchase, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100.  Groups of 10 or more, please call 303.446.4829.  TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303.893.9582.  Tickets also may be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located at the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org.Student $10 rush ticket are available one hour prior to curtain with a valid student ID subject to availability.  Senior and military rush tickets are available one hour prior to curtain, subject to availability. No children under six will be admitted to any theatre.THE WHALE is recommended for adults. Contains drug use, homosexuality and death. Children under the age of 6 are not allowed into the theatre.

This production of THE WHALE is generously supported by Producing Partner Carol E. Wolf. THE WHALE is a featured attraction in the Denver Center Theatre Company 2011/12 season, which is generously supported by the Steinberg Charitable Trust, Wells Fargo Advisors, Ashford University, Larimer Square and SCFD.  Media sponsorship for DCTC is provided by The Denver Post and CBS4.  The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is supported in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District.  Please visit our website at www.denvercenter.org.

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