STLAS's Intense "The Whale" showcases relationships, strong acting

Samuel D. Hunter's "The Whale" is probably best known for its recent film adaptation starring Brendan Fraser. In fact, although I haven't seen the film, I didn't even know it was a play until St. Louis Actors' Studio announced its current season. Their production, directed by Annamaria Pileggi, is a thoughtfully staged, intensely emotional relationship drama that serves as a showcase for an excellent cast of local performers.

This play is the story of Charlie, a lonely, unhealthy, and overweight man who teaches online writing classes from his small apartment, which he never seems to leave. He's cared for by his friend Liz, who is a nurse and also has another connection to him that will be revealed in the story. Liz urges Charlie to take better care of himself and to go to the hospital, but she also brings him unhealthy food to eat. As Charlie's health continues to deteriorate, he seeks comfort in an old essay about "Moby-Dick" and in conversations with a young Mormon missionary, Elder Thomas, who has happened by one evening, and who Charlie thinks can help him find answers concerning a personal tragedy. Charlie also seeks out his teenage daughter, Ellie, who hasn't seen her father since she was two when Charlie came out as gay and began a relationship with his late partner, Alan, ending his marriage to Ellie's mother, Mary. Ellie seems to be angry at everything and claims to hate everyone, but Charlie wants to get to know her in hopes that he can somehow help her have a better life. There are many complications, as emotions flare and secrets are revealed, as volatile relationships are explored in a quest for some kind of hope in the midst of regret and despair.

The personal relationships are intensely believable, driven by William Roth's heartfelt performance as Charlie, and supported by the equally strong Colleen Backer as the fiercely protective Liz and Nadja Kapetanovich as the surly Ellie. These are the key relationships here, and all three actors give powerfully emotional performances. There is also excellent work from Thomas Patrick Riley as the friendly but guarded Elder Thomas, and Lizi Watt as the hard-drinking, emotionally wounded Mary. There’s a lot of emotional hurt going on here, with sadness and anger at the forefront but with a lingering, persistent suggestion of hope.

The detailed set and moody lighting design by Patrick Huber add to the overall melancholy tone of the story. There has been some criticism of this story as potentially exploitative, considering the use of padding of a thinner actor to look overweight, but the thoughtful direction here doesn't seem mocking or belittling to me, and Teresa Doggett's work on the costumes and prosthetics comes across as realistic, and even understated.  There's also strong work from sound designer Kristi Gunther and props designer Emma Glose.

"The Whale" is intense, and acted with impressive depth by St. Louis Actors' Studio's well-chosen cast. It works especially well in the intimate setting of the company's Gaslight Theater. There's a lot to process in this play, concerning relationships, literature, self-expression, religious influence, and more. It's a profoundly affecting story.

Performances of “The Whale”, from St. Louis Actors’ Studio, continue at the Gaslight Theater until April 2. For more information, visit The St. Louis Actors' Studio web site.