THE WHALE
By Samuel D. Hunter
Directed by Jennifer Sarah Dean
28 JUN — 14 JUL 2024
Approx. 120 minutes with interval
Alex Theatre, St Kilda
1/135 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182
MSC Studio is proud to present the Victorian premiere of
The Whale by Samuel D. Hunter. A gripping exploration of isolation, redemption, and human connection.
On the outskirts of Mormon Country, Idaho, Charlie hides away in his apartment. 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.
PlayWright Samuel D. Hunter
Hailing from Moscow, Idaho, Samuel D. Hunter earned acclaim for his plays A Bright New Boise and The Whale, winning the 2011 Obie Award and the 2013 Drama Desk Award, respectively. His impactful storytelling led to a 2014 MacArthur Fellowship, delving into themes of faith and human connection. Hunter's acclaimed stage production, The Whale, received significant recognition with its cinematic adaptation, earning him a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2023 and clinching two Oscars, including Best Actor for Brendan Fraser.
Jennifer Sarah Dean trained at the Guildford School of Acting and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. She is the artistic director of the Melbourne Shakespeare Company and has directed ten of their productions including Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, and Twelfth Night. Other theatre credits include resident director for the Australian tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Global Creatures); The Haunting (Athenaeum Theatre); a site-specific production of Festen (Ripponlea Ballroom); Travesties (fortyfivedownstairs); LOW (Theatreworks). She was also co-director on the first Australian national tour of Ghost Stories with Peter Snee. Jennifer has directed a number of productions in the UK including Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the worldwide premiere of In the Loop, and the national tour of Pop Up Panto. Jennifer is represented by Ian White Management.
