‘The Whale’ is an over-whale-ming performance

“The Whale” follows Charlie, the main character, struggling with weight after losing his boyfriend. He is joined by his best friend, Liz, his daughter, Elle, his ex-wife, Mary and a Mormon missionary, Elder Thomas.  

With its eccentric characters and surprising plot twists, this play captures the attention of viewers. 

The actors fit each of their roles so well, it is hard to picture them playing anyone else. Each of the actors seemed to feel the pain of each of their characters.  

This play provides a unique perspective as you follow Charlie to his inevitable death, reconnecting with those he once loved. 

He receives his ‘death sentence’ from his best friend, who begs him to go to the hospital to save himself, each of the other characters then takes their turn begging him to try to live.

 Despite the people who care for him, a best friend who had lost her brother, a daughter who seemingly hates everyone, a missionary who just wants to help one person and an ex-wife who struggles with alcoholism, Charlie lacks a will to live.  

“The Whale” is relatable to college students as it maps the character’s struggles, things that many students struggle with. Charlie struggles with weight, depression and grief, three things that many students can relate to. 

Despite all the love in his life, he is ready to die as his struggles overpower his identity. The surprising part of the story is that the main character is not the only one whose struggles are outlined. 

His daughter struggles with academic success and her own mental health, as she watches her mother drink herself away and her father eat himself to death. Even Elder Thomas as a side character has had his struggle with religious validation and identity. 

The overall themes of grief, religious struggles and sexuality, are hard topics tackled in a way that shows that everyone struggles.  

Despite most the characters being adults, this play screams coming of age story. Each of the characters develop more into their own identities throughout the play. 

The irony of the main character’s partner starving himself to Charlie killing himself by overeating makes “The Whale” all the more powerful.

Overall, the power of the characters and actors, is not to be missed. The story describes the struggle with mental health that many people struggle with today and shows that self-harm and suicide can come in many forms. 

No one is safe from the misery that can be felt radiating off of the characters in “The Whale”. This play will keep you on your toes and take over your thoughts once it’s over. The more you think about it, the more underlying details that are discovered. 

The entire story is a maze of hidden details that change the meaning of scenes, characters and phrases. Even the title “The Whale” in reality is not about the weight problem of the main character but instead is a reference to his obsession with a book report on Moby Dick his daughter had written. Every line seems to have an underlying meaning or is pointing you to a later plot twist. 

If you missed it, “The Whale” returns to the Black Box Theatre, Dec. 3-4 and if you have seen it, see it again.