What I liked
#WhaleFail is a creative take on the tragic events that were covered in the acclaimed documentary Blackfish, which brought to light the fatal effects of keeping Killer Whales in captivity. The play flips the death of a whale trainer into a darkly humorous and poignantly touching exploration of the human condition, specifically dealing with loss and guilt. Clever, witty, and tender writing gives #WhaleFail a solid footing, while the actors bring writer Brett Epstein’s deft use of comedy to life. Without merely recapitulating the story in Blackfish, #WhaleFail goes beyond and imagines the aftermath and events surrounding the death of the trainer, while still serving to provide solid facts about whales in captivity.
What I didn't like
Granted I saw the opening show, the performance could have benefitted from more patience. The dialogue was treated less precious than the writing deserved and came off as conversational at points where pauses and silences would have helped punctuate jokes and emotional moments.
My overall impression
Overall, #WhaleFail is a very enjoyable show; witty and insightful, this play will leave you laughing, feeling, and thinking as you leave the theater.
