The Whale at Rep Stage - Horowitz Center

The Whale

Rep Stage - Horowitz Center
10901 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia

Since the death of his partner, a morbidly obese man confines himself to his small apartment on the outskirts of Mormon Country, eating himself into oblivion. Desperate to re-connect with his long-estranged daughter, he reaches out to her, only to find a viciously sharp-tongued and wildly unhappy teen. Championed by the Associated Press as "Compelling, funny, and unexpectedly impactful”, The Whale tells the story of a man's last chance at redemption, and of finding beauty in the most unexpected places.

Thru - Feb 1, 2015

Price: $40

Running Time: 2 hours; one intermission

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The Whale Reviews

Average Rating based on 6 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Washington Post - Recommended

"...And yet, while capturing the poignancy of his character's situation, Russotto also shows the stubborn spirit that keeps Charlie going, allowing him to continue working as an online expository writing tutor even as he sickens. The same spirit prompts him to attempt friendship with the angry Ellie, who at one point gripes that she hates her father. "Yeah, but you hate everyone," he says with a loving, teasing smile."

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- Celia Wren

DC Theater Arts - Highly Recommended

"...The Whale, here making its Baltimore/D.C. area premiere, is a heartbreaking and scattershot-brilliant little drama. It never tackles the existential ’night, Mother issues at its core, but it more than rewards with a moving and literate focus on humanity."

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- John Harding

Baltimore Sun - Recommended

"...Much of Russotto's acting has to take place from the neck up, and he seizes that challenge masterfully. Not unlike Marlon Brando at his heftiest, Russotto can compel with just his eyes and the subtlest inflections of his raspy voice. In addition to conveying every ounce of Charlie's physical discomfort, he reveals the full extent of the man’s embracing and trusting personality."

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- Tim Smith

Washington City Paper - Highly Recommended

"..."The Whale" could never be as effective a movie as it is a stage production, for the sheer physicality of live theater is essential to this play's impact. In the superb production at Rep Stage through Feb. 1, every time the 550-pound Charlie struggles to stand up from the green-slip-covered sofa where he spends most of his life, the immense effort means more because it's happening in the same room where we're sitting. When he wheezes, he's drawing in our oxygen; when he profusely sweats, he's moistening our air."

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- Geoffrey Himes

MD Theatre Guide - Highly Recommended

"...Under the direction of Helen Hayes Award recipient Kasi Campbell, a Rep Stage veteran, the ensemble is in complete harmony even if the fictional characters are not. The actors portray their roles through stunningly realistic performances. The full range of emotions are carried out expertly, and the audience is made to feel empathy for the "disgusting" Charlie, encased in padding to simulate his obesity."

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- Steve Charing

DCTheatreScene - Highly Recommended

It is rare to see such a nuanced and robust portrayal of a fat person anywhere in pop culture. Watching The Whale makes you think how many other Charlies are out there, living out of their heads in their living rooms and capable of so much wonder and magnificence?

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- Jayne Blanchard

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The Whale at Rep Stage - Horowitz Center

The Whale

The Whale Reviews

Washington Post - Recommended

DC Theater Arts - Highly Recommended

Baltimore Sun - Recommended

Washington City Paper - Highly Recommended

MD Theatre Guide - Highly Recommended

DCTheatreScene - Highly Recommended

The Whale Photo Gallery

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