The Whales of August is a play written by American playwright David Berry. The play is about two elderly sisters, both widows, who are living together in 1954 in a summer cottage in Maine. The older sister, Elizabeth "Libby" is being taken care of by her younger sister, Sarah. The sisters sit on their porch and watch the whales in the ocean and discuss the trials and tribulations of their lives. The play was adapted as a feature-film, and released in 1987.Whales of August review accessed 11/23/2016The Whales of August Script accessed 11/23/2016
Production history Berry first started writing the play in 1978 through a grant by the National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellowship, and it premiered in Baltimore at the Center Stage theatre in April 1980, where it was a part of their First Stage series. The play was next staged in 1981 by the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island.New York Times Trinity Rep Review accessed 11/23/2016Boston Phoenix Trinity Rep Review accessed 2/25/2024
After receiving good notices, the play was moved to New York City and staged in 1982 at the WPA Theatre, Off-Broadway. The casts for these stagings were all different except for veteran actress Vivienne Shub in the role of Tisha.Whales of August WPA review accessed 11/23/2016 The play made its Chicago debut at the Victory Gardens Theater in 1983.Victory Gardens history accessed 11/20/2016
The play is dedicated to David Berry's grandfather, William Finlay Adams (1886–1977). The play is available for licensing by regional theatre groups. In 2014, an all Japanese cast performed the play at the Art Tower Mito.Art Tower Mito accessed 11/23/2016
Historical casting Character 1980 Center Stage cast 1981 Trinity Rep cast 1982 WPA Theatre cast 1987 film cast Elizabeth Mae "Libby" Logan-Strong Kate Wilkinson Ruth Maynard Elizabeth Council Bette Davis Sarah Louise Logan-Webber Margaret Thomson Sylvia Davis Bettie Endrizzi Lillian Gish Letitia "Tisha" Benson-Doughty Vivienne Shub Ann Sothern
Adaptations and awards The play was adapted as a film of the same name and released in 1987. The producer of the film saw the Trinity Rep production, and purchased the rights as a vehicle for Lillian Gish. Berry also wrote the screenplay for the film, which received mixed reviews, with positive recognition for the performances. Ann Sothern was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.Lillian Gish Makes a Splash accessed 11/23/2016
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