ST. LOUIS — The Whale starring Brendan Fraser was one of the biggest films of 2022, bringing Fraser the Academy Award for Best Actor. But before it took over the big screen, The Whale was a play taking over stages across the country. Now, thanks to the St. Louis Actors' Studio, you can catch it Live in the Lou.
It’s a story of redemption and hope. The Whale by playwright Samuel D. Hunter follows the character, Charlie, a morbidly obese online writing professor. The 600-pound man is trying to reconnect with his rebellious daughter Ellie, as he is sure the end is near for him.
The role of Charlie is played by William Roth, the founder of St. Louis Actors Studio.
"You've got to learn a lot about the size of this character, the actual size of him and the emotional size of him and how he deals with the world around him," Roth said.
The role of Ellie is played by a 17-year old Alton high school student, Nadja Kapetanovich.
"She just walked in and auditioned. And I was blown away. She is just so gifted," says the show's director, Annamaria Pileggi. "This is what I would call an actor's play...you get to sink your teeth into the intensity of this ride of this emotional ride."
If you’re a fan of the 2022 award-winning film starring Brendan Fraser, Anna says you’re still in for something new.
"You see everything through him. So, I think he is more kind of the center of this universe and others, you see other satellite around him. And I think when it's live, and onstage, you get that sense much more because there is no close-up, right? You see the whole of Charlie's world all of the time. So in that sense, I think just the presentation the difference between film and theater is very felt," she said.
William and Anna met years ago, and now they work together frequently putting on shows at the Gaslight Theater in the Central West End. It’s a small, intimate setting perfect for a show like The Whale.
The Whale continues through April 21 at the Gaslight Theatre located at 360 N. Boyle Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108. Shows are Thursday-Saturday at 8:00 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm.
For tickets, click here.
For more information about the St. Louis Actors' Studio, click here.
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