The Whale is totally absorbing and profoundly moving in the outstanding production by St. Louis Actors’ Studio. The 2022 film of the same name was based on the play.
At the start of the play, the morbidly obese title character, Charlie, is teaching an online writing course. A little later, he undergoes a health crisis. His startling response to the emergency is to read aloud an essay on Moby Dick. He falters as Elder Thomas knocks on the door. Upon entering the 19-year-old Mormon missionary’s first thought is to call for help, but all Charlie wants Elder Thomas to do is continue reading aloud where Charlie left off.
Why this essay means so much to Charlie is the final piece of the puzzle in the play by Samuel D. Hunter. Along the way, Hunter tells the story of Charlie’s life. His love for another man created an insurmountable rift with his wife, Mary. After the divorce, she did her utmost to keep Charlie apart from his daughter, Ellie. His lover, Alan, turned his back on his Mormon faith to be with Charlie. Alan wasted away and died after hearing a sermon delivered at the local church by his father, who was a Mormon bishop. Grief over Alan’s death led to Charlie’s obesity.
Sensing the end is near, Charlie calls Ellie and asks her to visit him. He offers to pay her and help her with her writing for school if she spends time with him. After hearing of Charlie’s visits with Ellie, Mary storms into his apartment for a showdown. It is the former spouses’ first face-to-face meeting in many years.
A uniformly superb cast presents this unconventional but fascinating story. William Roth creates an overwhelming portrait of the burden Charlie carries because of his weight and his guilt. Equally impressive are the moments of joy Charlie gains from getting to know his daughter.
Nadja Kapetanovich fully embodies Ellie’s teenage rebelliousness. Lizi Watt unleashes terrifying outrage when she appears at Charlie’s door. Colleen Backer captures the conflicted feelings of Charlie’s friend, Liz, a nurse who pleads with him get treatment but bends to his entreaties to supply food he can binge on. Liz pelts Elder Thomas with a torrent of indignation because Charlie’s lover, Alan, was her brother.
Thomas Patrick Riley is superhumanly clean cut and earnest in his initial appearances as Elder Thomas. Riley’s manner and appearance change markedly when the truth about Elder Thomas emerges.
An ideal setting for the play is created by Patrick Huber’s scenery and lighting, Teresa Doggett’s costumes and prosthetics, Kristi Gunther’s sound, and Emma Close’s props. Director Annamaria Pileggi’s pacing and use of the space are masterly.
Charlie’s body suit was designed by Angela B. Calin and engineered and constructed by Laurie Donati, South Coast Repertory Theatre, Costa Mesa, California.
The Whale continues through April 21 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle Avenue.
—Gerry Kowarsky
Photo by Patrick Huber
From the left, the cast of The Whale: Nadja Kapetanovich (Ellie), Thomas Patrick Riley (Elder Thomas), Lizi Watt (Mary), Colleen Backer (standing, Liz), and William Roth (seated, Charlie).
