The Whale – Authenticity Theater – January 18-21, 2024 at 7 Stages
Set on the outskirts of Mormon country in rural Idaho, The Whale is the story of Charlie, a 600-pound recluse who hides away in his apartment while slowly 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. At the same time, Charlie encounters a young man on his mission whose own story is not all that it seems. The story examines how grief can play a major role in shaping people’s lives, especially when left unchecked and allowed to simmer. Big-hearted and at times 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 at Authenticity Theater is directed by Robby Myles. The cast features Sean Bryan as Charlie, Sarah Sutherland as Liz, and Carson Hebblethwaite as Ellie. Rounding out the cast are Ibrahim Sedebeh as Elder Thomas and Sasha Keefer as Mary. For this production, Authenticity Theater has aligned with Kate’s Place, a Georgia-based charity, to increase awareness of the powerful effects of grief.
