SpeakEasy Extends 'The Whale' Through April 12

Due to critical and popular acclaim, SpeakEasy Stage Company is adding one additional week of performances to its New England premiere production of "The Whale" by Samuel D. Hunter.

All of the original cast members: John Kuntz, Josephine Elwood, Georgia Lyman, Maureen Keiller, and Ryan O'Connor will continue with the production, which will absolutely close after the performances on Saturday, April 12.

Tickets for these new dates go on sale this Friday, March 28 at 9 a.m. online at www.SpeakEasyStage.com and 12 noon for phone (617-933-8600) or walk-up sales. Ticket prices start at $25.

"The Whale" tells the story of Charlie, a morbidly obese man has hidden himself away in his Northern Idaho apartment and is quietly eating himself to death in the wake of a personal tragedy. With his health deteriorating, Charlie makes one last desperate attempt to connect with his estranged daughter Ellie, a sharp-tongued and wildly unhappy teen whom he has not seen in 15 years. As Charlie embarks on his quest for redemption, he looks to his enabling caregiver Liz, ex-wife Mary, and Mormon missionary Elder Thomas for closure, meaning and forgiveness.

"The Whale" was written by Samuel D. Hunter, whose play "A Bright New Boise" had its Boston debut last season. A native of Northern Idaho, Mr. Hunter lives in New York City and holds degrees in playwriting from New York University, The Iowa Playwrights Workshop, and Juilliard. He has received the 2013 Otis Guernsey New Voices Award, a 2012 Whiting Writers Award, the 2011 Sky Cooper Prize, and the 2008-2009 PONY Fellowship. Mr. Hunter is also a member of New Dramatists, an Ensemble Playwright at Victory Gardens, a Core Member of The Playwrights' Center, a member of Partial Comfort Productions, and is currently a Resident Playwright at Arena Stage. He has three new plays set to debut nationally this season: "The Few," "A Great Wilderness," and "Rest."

Norton Award-winner David R. Gammons directed "The Whale" for SpeakEasy Stage. Mr. Gammons' previous directorial efforts for the company include the award-winning productions of "Blackbird," "Red," and "The Motherf**ker with the Hat."

The design team is Cristina Todesco (scenic), Gail Astrid Buckley (costumes), Jeff Adelberg (lighting), David Remedios (sound), and Megan F. Kinneen (props). Christine Lomaka is the Production Stage Manager.

Ticket prices start at $25 and there are discounts for students, seniors, and persons age 25 and under. For tickets or more information, the public is invited to call the box-office 617.933.8600 or visit www.SpeakEasyStage.com.