About Chasing the New White Whale--
The Project and the New Play by Michael Gorman
ABOUT THE PROJECT‑Chasing The New White Whale
CHASING THE NEW WHITE WHALE— The Project— is an art & advocacy model created by Michael Gorman dedicated to bringing awareness to the issue of opiate addiction in the commercial fishing community of New England and beyond. Through an evolving series of environmental installations, readings, presentations, and performances, and through direct engagement with the community, Gorman and his production company The Forty Hour Club have created a new model of theater—an innovative “tool” with which to “Harpoon Addiction”.
This unique arts & advocacy model, based upon the revolutionary 19th century invention of the “toggle” harpoon, draws parallels to 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.
By presenting performances in non-traditional “venues”, such as locations in and around working waterfronts, Gorman’s work has the unique ability to creatively connect with the individuals and working communities being devastated by the opioid epidemic. Through this “direct approach” model, Gorman hopes to engender a greater awareness of the epidemic and the underlying disease of addiction; engage the audience in a creative dialogue that propels constructive change; and emphasize the need for more understanding and compassion.
Gorman’s personal interest in this project grew from his own family history with opiate addiction (his brother, Kevin, a commercial fisherman, died of a heroin overdose), as well as from his work on his trilogy of plays—THE HONOR AND GLORY OF WHALING. Gorman’s newest play CHASING THE NEW WHITE WHALE is the culmination of this project and work, and features a mythical chorus of ghostly whale hunters and modern day commercial fishermen inspired by Ahab's stowaway crew—"Fedallah and the Phantoms"— who represent those who are often “invisible” in our society—the addict; our abandoned and alienated working communities; the marginalized. Through this new play, and the role of the CHAPLAIN—played by the playwright himself—Gorman hopes “to speak a word for addicts”, and use his pulpit to effect meaningful social change.
Gorman’s greater vision for the project includes touring the play Nationally, with the goal of directly reaching those communities hardest hit by the opioid epidemic.
CHASING THE NEW WHITE WHALE— The Project— is an art & advocacy model created by Michael Gorman dedicated to bringing awareness to the issue of opiate addiction in the commercial fishing community of New England and beyond. Through an evolving series of environmental installations, readings, presentations, and performances, and through direct engagement with the community, Gorman and his production company The Forty Hour Club have created a new model of theater—an innovative “tool” with which to “Harpoon Addiction”.
This unique arts & advocacy model, based upon the revolutionary 19th century invention of the “toggle” harpoon, draws parallels to 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.
By presenting performances in non-traditional “venues”, such as locations in and around working waterfronts, Gorman’s work has the unique ability to creatively connect with the individuals and working communities being devastated by the opioid epidemic. Through this “direct approach” model, Gorman hopes to engender a greater awareness of the epidemic and the underlying disease of addiction; engage the audience in a creative dialogue that propels constructive change; and emphasize the need for more understanding and compassion.
Gorman’s personal interest in this project grew from his own family history with opiate addiction (his brother, Kevin, a commercial fisherman, died of a heroin overdose), as well as from his work on his trilogy of plays—THE HONOR AND GLORY OF WHALING. Gorman’s newest play CHASING THE NEW WHITE WHALE is the culmination of this project and work, and features a mythical chorus of ghostly whale hunters and modern day commercial fishermen inspired by Ahab's stowaway crew—"Fedallah and the Phantoms"— who represent those who are often “invisible” in our society—the addict; our abandoned and alienated working communities; the marginalized. Through this new play, and the role of the CHAPLAIN—played by the playwright himself—Gorman hopes “to speak a word for addicts”, and use his pulpit to effect meaningful social change.
Gorman’s greater vision for the project includes touring the play Nationally, with the goal of directly reaching those communities hardest hit by the opioid epidemic.
Watch a short video about the project— "Chasing The New White Whale- Harpooning Addiction"
Artwork by Dan Daly: "The Chase"
ABOUT THE PLAY‑Chasing The New White Whale
The centerpiece of the project is Gorman's new play "CHASING THE NEW WHITE WHALE"— which premiered in The Ellen Stewart Theater at La MaMa in New York City where Gorman serves as the Playwright in Residence. The play made it's debut run from November 24 – December 9, 2018.
In this ambitious new production—using Melville’s 19th-century monster as a metaphor for the modern plague of opioid addiction, Gorman explores the ruinous effects of the opiate epidemic on the commercial fishing industry. Inspired by Moby Dick, and drawn largely from his trilogy of plays "The Honor and Glory of Whaling", CHASING THE NEW WHITE WHALE follows the plight of legendary New England fishing Captain Robby Foerster and his boat The Northern Star as he falls deeply into addiction after a fateful first encounter with heroin. The play connects Robby's addiction with Ahab’s obsessive pursuit of the Great White Whale, and reimagines Captain Ahab's final thrilling chase in Moby Dick. "After all, what was Ahab, but an addict really, and what was Moby Dick but an allusion to opium, and heroin, its contemporary scourge."
Featuring a mythical chorus of ghostly whale hunters and modern day commercial fishermen inspired by Ahab's stowaway crew—"Fedallah and the Phantoms"— CHASING THE NEW WHITE WHALE explores theater and the current National opioid crisis in the elemental way the Greeks once did, and takes us to the true “place of seeing". Through the voice of the CHAPLAIN—a character based upon the Chaplain in Moby Dick, and played by the playwright himself—the play also makes a powerful arts and advocacy statement about the devastating effects of the opiate epidemic on America's working communities and the desperate need for more treatment and education. More about the play HERE.
The centerpiece of the project is Gorman's new play "CHASING THE NEW WHITE WHALE"— which premiered in The Ellen Stewart Theater at La MaMa in New York City where Gorman serves as the Playwright in Residence. The play made it's debut run from November 24 – December 9, 2018.
In this ambitious new production—using Melville’s 19th-century monster as a metaphor for the modern plague of opioid addiction, Gorman explores the ruinous effects of the opiate epidemic on the commercial fishing industry. Inspired by Moby Dick, and drawn largely from his trilogy of plays "The Honor and Glory of Whaling", CHASING THE NEW WHITE WHALE follows the plight of legendary New England fishing Captain Robby Foerster and his boat The Northern Star as he falls deeply into addiction after a fateful first encounter with heroin. The play connects Robby's addiction with Ahab’s obsessive pursuit of the Great White Whale, and reimagines Captain Ahab's final thrilling chase in Moby Dick. "After all, what was Ahab, but an addict really, and what was Moby Dick but an allusion to opium, and heroin, its contemporary scourge."
Featuring a mythical chorus of ghostly whale hunters and modern day commercial fishermen inspired by Ahab's stowaway crew—"Fedallah and the Phantoms"— CHASING THE NEW WHITE WHALE explores theater and the current National opioid crisis in the elemental way the Greeks once did, and takes us to the true “place of seeing". Through the voice of the CHAPLAIN—a character based upon the Chaplain in Moby Dick, and played by the playwright himself—the play also makes a powerful arts and advocacy statement about the devastating effects of the opiate epidemic on America's working communities and the desperate need for more treatment and education. More about the play HERE.
"Gorman sees himself as an everyman playwright with working-class sensibilities. He wants to create art 'about the chorus of invisible people' whose stories are not told on stage. 'A voice in society, that’s something that’s been denied addicts and
working-class people. I want to tell their stories,' he said."
working-class people. I want to tell their stories,' he said."
“It just connects with the fishing industry and every bit of it is exactly how it is,” says Roberge. “How the drugs interplay with fishing, and the lives and the people it destroys. I know, I was in that sad, deep, and dark place for years until I pulled my way out of it. I think of the friends in this industry that I have lost.”
—Response from Robbie Roberge—a commercial fishing captain and recovering addict after attending a performance at Portland’s Fish Exchange (Portland, Maine)
Watch our new trailer to learn more about the project: "Chasing The New White Whale-Harpooning Addiction"
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
Mike Gorman, Playwright, in New Bedford, MA.
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!
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!
Follow "Chasing The New White Whale" on Instagram.
