The Whale by Samuel D. Hunter

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

Awards:
Winner – 2013 Lucille Nortel Award, Best Play
Winner  – 2013 Drama Desk Special Award for Significant Contribution to Theatre
Winner – 2013 GLAAD Media Award, Outstanding New York Theatre
Nominee – 2013 Outer Critics Circle Awards, Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play
Nominee – 2013 John Gassner Award, Outstanding New American Play
Finalist – 27th Annual Lambda Literary Award, for best LGBT DRAMA OF 2014/2015

Press:
“Riveting…An impassioned & arresting clash of minds & emotions. I was glued to the stage…Equally dynamic and horrifying.” – New York Observer
“Extraordinary. As he did in his breakthrough play A Bright New Boise, Hunter has constructed an outsize, gothic scenario in tender miniature.” – New York Magazine