From the mind of Thaddeus Phillips comes an equally inventive and mysterious theatrical epic that connects worldwide telecommunications systems, humpback whale songs, Carl Sagan, and dinner at Applebee's. A modern Moby Dick adventure (with microphones instead of harpoons), this mythic tale follows a composer chasing whale songs on a seemingly accidental quest from New York to the wilds of Colombia's Pacific coast to the white icescapes of Antarctica.

Audiences sit on both sides of a long stage the size of a humpback whale. At either end is a mini proscenium, with the action moving between them. Scaffolding, books, sails, flippers, buckets of water, and a tea kettle, are transformed into ice shelves, a fiber optics station in New Jersey, a library, the ocean, outer space, a dive shop, a fishing boat, airplanes, bars, museums, and the belly of a whale. As objects float above and in front of them, and sound swirls around and beneath them, audiences experience intimate contact with a major theatrical spectacle.

"Phillips is always six snowshoe-steps ahead of the rest of us."
John Moore, Denver Post

In short: whale songs, transformative staging, Carl Sagan, stage as ocean, intimate spectacle, marimbas and dive shops.

Lucidity Suitcase Intercontinental is a theater creation team that uses transformational scenery, improvisation, documentary footage, and research to create theatrical epics and windows into not-often seen worlds. Previous Live Arts shows include: ¡EL CONQUISTADOR! (2010), The MeLTING BRiDgE (2008), Flamingo/Winnebago (2007).

Conceived and Directed by Thaddeus Phillips Dramaturgy Pamela Riley and Tatiana Mallarino Set Thaddeus Phillips Lighting Drew Billiau Original Score Juan Gabriel Turbay Sound Kevin Francis Video Spencer Sheridan Creators/Performers Brian Osborne, Makoto Hirano, Lee Ann Etzold, James Ijames, Emily Letts

Appropriate for ages 12 and up.

* Post-show discussion on Sept 8 moderated by David Brick, co-artistic director, Headlong Dance Theater.

WHaLE OPTICS has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage through the Philadelphia Theatre Initiative. Additional support was provided by the Wyncote Foundation, Live Arts Brewery (LAB) programs, which are supported by The Kresge Foundation, the Independence Foundation, and The PNC Foundation through PNC Arts Alive.

For Live Arts patrons attending shows at the Prince, discounted parking is available!
PARKWAY at Liberty Place, 1650 Market St.
$6 parking (available after 5pm M-F, and after 11am Sat&Sun)
vouchers available from ushers after the show.