FINAL CURTAIN CALL OF THE SEASON – THE WHALE

If you’ve been meaning to make it to the theater to see our current production, The Whale, or even
F.J. Hartland - The Whale Photo by Heather Mull
just to see ‘a’ show this season, this is your last chance! Off the WALL’s season officially ends this weekend. Ironically, The Whale is about a man’s last chance. A six-hundred pound man contemplates his past, his present and the future of his daughter’s life. Having left his wife and then two-year old child fifteen years ago, he desires nothing more than to reconcile with his teenage daughter, whom he barely knows. Powerful. Funny. Emotionally Stirring. This is a show you don’t want to miss.

Though there will be performances on our stage over the summer, including that of our FireWall Dance Theater, this truly is the final curtain call for the 2014-15 season of off the WALL Productions. Every show and every season brings about a bittersweet closure, all the more so when theatergoers and critics alike fully embrace the show. I hope you will join us for our final curtain call of the season. Only one remaining performance, May 9 @ 8:00 pm. 

“Off the Wall might have found its best marriage of content and execution to date.”
Review by Tyler Plosia of Pittsburgh City Paper

“As much as Hunter’s script is a masterpiece of writing, so, too, the Pittsburgh Theater Premier cast delivered a masterpiece in terms of their performance.”
Review by Sarah Beth Martin of The Pittsburgh Stage Online Magazine

“This show, I felt, was so brilliantly directed and acted with such precise attention to detail that it really enhances the whole dramatic impact of it.”
Video review by Lonnie The Theater Lady with Brian Edward of ‘Burgh Vivant

THE CHARACTERS

Mary / Dana Hardy:  “…dredges up the past and puts the present in perspective in one of the play’s strongest moments.”

Elder Thomas / Brian Knoebel:  “…brings a lot of energy to the role as well as an initial air of innocence that eventually takes a more earthy turn. Some of the play’s best moments occur when he first encounters, Ellie.”

Ellie / Abby Quatro: “Charlie’s sullen, rebellious, sarcastic, quick-witted daughter, played with gleeful contrariness.”

Liz / Amy Landis:  “… is a dramatic spark plug adding an energized counterpoint to Hartland’s slower-paced performance, understandably necessitated by his character’s failing health.”

Charlie / F.J. Hartland:  “…convincing both as an ailing man on the verge of death and as someone with a depth of character and a narrative worth listening to.”

Director / Linda Haston:  “…keeps a tight reign on her ensemble of spirited steeds and gives the play a certain rhythmic finesse…  retaining its potent dramatic impact.”
Review by Dave Zuchowski of Pittsburgh Owl Scribe


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