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The Whale 2012

Opened: November 5, 2012
Closing: December 15, 2012

The Whale - 2012 Off-Broadway History , Info & More

Playwrights Horizons
416 West 42nd St.(between 9th & 10th Aves) New York, NY 10036

On the outskirts of Mormon Country, Idaho, a six hundred pound recluse hides away in his apartment eating 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.


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Playwrights Horizons Announces Final Extension for THE WHALE, Through 12/15
by Kelsey Denette - November 21, 2012


Due to popular demand, Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced a second, final extension of its critically-acclaimed, sold-out New York premiere of THE WHALE, a new play by Obie Award winner Samuel D. Hunter (A Bright New Boise). Originally set to play a limited engagement through Sunday, December 2, the production originally extended to Sunday, December 9 and now extends to Saturday, December 15 at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street). This additional week represents the final extension possible for the production.

Review - The Whale: Lonely Room
by Ben Peltz - November 10, 2012


You know those people who can eat whatever they want and never gain a pound?  Charlie, the central character of Samuel D. Hunter's touching drama The Whale, isn't one of them.  Charlie's dietary habits declined in a sharp downward spiral after losing his lover under tragic circumstances.  He lives a reclusive existence in his Idaho home, teaching how to write basic essays from his laptop while spread across his couch, with his students able to hear his voice, but never see his face.  When he last used a scale, Charlie weighed in at 550 pounds.  He suspects to be close to 600 now.

Photo Coverage: THE WHALE's Opening After Party
by Walter McBride - November 6, 2012


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), opened last night, November 5 at 7PM at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street). Check out photos from the opening night after party below!

Photo Coverage: Inside THE WHALE Opening Night- Arrivals!
by Walter McBride - November 6, 2012


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), opened last night, November 5 at 7PM at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street). Check out photos from the opening night arrivals below!

Photo Coverage: Inside THE WHALE's Opening Night Curtain Call
by Walter McBride - November 6, 2012


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), opened last night, November 5 at 7PM at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street). Check out photos from the big opening below!

Playwrights Horizons' THE WHALE, Starring Cassie Beck, Shuler Hensley and More, Opens Tonight, 11/5
by BWW News Desk - November 5, 2012


Playwrights Horizons' production THE WHALE, the New York premiere of a new play by Obie Award winner Samuel D. Hunter (A Bright New Boise), is directed by Davis McCallum (February House, A Bright New Boise, the upcoming Water By the Spoonful at Second Stage) and opens tonight, November 5 at 7PM at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

THE WHALE Resumes Performances at Playwrights Horizons Tonight, 10/31
by BWW News Desk - October 31, 2012


This just in: the Playwrights Horizons production of THE WHALE resumes performances TONIGHT, Wednesday, October 31 at 7:30 PM.

Photo Flash: First Look at Shuler Hensley and More in THE WHALE at Playwrights Horizons
by BWW News Desk - October 19, 2012


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!

Playwrights Horizons Now Accepting LIVEforFIVE Entries for THE WHALE
by Kelsey Denette - October 3, 2012


Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) begins accepting entries today, Wednesday, October 3, for its popular LIVEforFIVE online lottery for $5 tickets to the New York premiere of THE WHALE, 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). Due to the overwhelming response to Playwrights Horizons' 2012/2013 season, all productions are now playing 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.

Playwrights Horizons' THE WHALE, Starring Cassie Beck, Shuler Hensley and More, to Run Through Dec 2
by BWW News Desk - October 1, 2012


Previews begin 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).

The Whale History

Other Productions of The Whale

2012   Off-Broadway Playwrights Horizons Production
Off-Broadway

The Whale - 2012 Off-Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2013 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actor in a Play Shuler Hensley
2013 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Tasha Lawrence
2013 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Set Design Mimi Lien
2013 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Shuler Hensley
2013 Drama League Awards Distinguished Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play 0
2013 Obie Awards Performance Shuler Hensley
2013 Outer Critics Circle Awards John Gassner Award Samuel D. Hunter
2013 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Actor in a Play Shuler Hensley
2013 The Lortels Outstanding Costume Design Jessica Pabst
2013 The Lortels Outstanding Lead Actor Shuler Hensley
2013 The Lortels Outstanding Play 0

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