About Chasing the New White Whale --
The Project and the New Play by Michael Gorman
Artwork by Dan Daly: "The Chase"
Michael Gorman and his production company the Forty Hour Club are currently working on an epic project “Chasing The New White Whale”— an evolving series of environmental installations, readings, presentations, and performances dedicated to bringing awareness to the issue of opiate addiction in the commercial fishing community of New England and beyond.
This unique arts & advocacy model, based upon the revolutionary 19th century invention of the “toggle” harpoon by Lewis Temple of New Bedford, Massachusetts, draws parallels to the both the insidious nature of addiction and the resourcefulness needed to “harpoon” it. Gorman’s work on this project explores the current National opioid crisis through the unique lens of the fishing industry, and draws inspiration from Moby Dick and Ahab’s obsessive pursuit of the Great White Whale. “After all, what was Ahab, but an addict really, and what was Moby Dick but an allusion to opium, and heroin, its contemporary scourge”.--M. Gorman.
About The Play‑Chasing The New White Whale
The centerpiece of the project is a brand new play written by Mike entitled "Chasing The New White Whale" that will be produced and premiered in The Ellen Stewart Theater at La MaMa in New York City where Gorman serves as the Playwright in Residence. The play will make it's debut run from November 24 – December 9, 2018. "Chasing The New White Whale" is Gorman’s newest work, and draws inspiration from the playwright’s trilogy of play's "The Honor and Glory of Whaling". Inspired by the death of his oldest brother, a commercial fisherman, to a heroin overdose, “Chasing the New White Whale” is both a personal and timely work. This new production brings together the elements and themes explored in the trilogy, and reimagines Captain Ahab's final thrilling chase in Moby Dick—turning The Ellen Stewart Theater into a full-blown ancient whaling ship. Featuring a mythical chorus of ghostly whale hunters and modern day commercial fishermen inspired by Ahab's stowaway crew—"Fedallah and the Phantoms"—this exciting new work, created by the play “builders” of the Forty Hour Club, explores theater and the opioid crisis in the elemental way the Greeks once did, and takes us to the true “place of seeing".
This unique arts & advocacy model, based upon the revolutionary 19th century invention of the “toggle” harpoon by Lewis Temple of New Bedford, Massachusetts, draws parallels to the both the insidious nature of addiction and the resourcefulness needed to “harpoon” it. Gorman’s work on this project explores the current National opioid crisis through the unique lens of the fishing industry, and draws inspiration from Moby Dick and Ahab’s obsessive pursuit of the Great White Whale. “After all, what was Ahab, but an addict really, and what was Moby Dick but an allusion to opium, and heroin, its contemporary scourge”.--M. Gorman.
About The Play‑Chasing The New White Whale
The centerpiece of the project is a brand new play written by Mike entitled "Chasing The New White Whale" that will be produced and premiered in The Ellen Stewart Theater at La MaMa in New York City where Gorman serves as the Playwright in Residence. The play will make it's debut run from November 24 – December 9, 2018. "Chasing The New White Whale" is Gorman’s newest work, and draws inspiration from the playwright’s trilogy of play's "The Honor and Glory of Whaling". Inspired by the death of his oldest brother, a commercial fisherman, to a heroin overdose, “Chasing the New White Whale” is both a personal and timely work. This new production brings together the elements and themes explored in the trilogy, and reimagines Captain Ahab's final thrilling chase in Moby Dick—turning The Ellen Stewart Theater into a full-blown ancient whaling ship. Featuring a mythical chorus of ghostly whale hunters and modern day commercial fishermen inspired by Ahab's stowaway crew—"Fedallah and the Phantoms"—this exciting new work, created by the play “builders” of the Forty Hour Club, explores theater and the opioid crisis in the elemental way the Greeks once did, and takes us to the true “place of seeing".
"Chasing The New White Whale" will run from November 24 - December 9, 2018 at La Mama Theater in New York City.
(Get tickets here.)
(Get tickets here.)
After all, what was Ahab, but an addict really, and what was Moby Dick but an allusion to opium, and heroin, its contemporary scourge.”
— M. Gorman
Watch our new trailer to learn more about Michael's project: "Chasing The New White Whale"
“Mike’s been writing in his own singular, idiosyncratic style for more than two decades now; journey with us through his oeuvre to discover a truly original talent with a world view as wide and humanist and compassionate as the ocean he so often writes about.”— Martin Denton, Indie Theater Now
Chasing The New White Whale is an on-going project dedicated to bringing awareness to the issues of addiction and recovery
within the commercial fishing industry and other working communities.
The Forty Hour Club is producing many exciting events this year in association with this project.
Please check our event calendar, or contact us for more information.
We hope you can join us on The Chase!
within the commercial fishing industry and other working communities.
The Forty Hour Club is producing many exciting events this year in association with this project.
Please check our event calendar, or contact us for more information.
We hope you can join us on The Chase!
Mike Gorman, Playwright, in New Bedford, MA.