Written by Gary Graves World Premiere #48: A Central Works Method Musical
Directed by John Patrick Moore
Musical Director Ben Euphrat
Produced in: 2015
A new musical about how a band of hippies, mystics and visionaries changed the world. Set in 1973, in the formative years of the ecology movement, Project Ahab converts Melville’s classic story of a man bent on killing a whale, to that of a man determined to stop the killing of whales; or, “Ahab goes after the whalers.” Building on the success of last season’s musical epic, Red Virgin, writer Gary Graves, and director John Patrick Moore team up with musical director Ben Euphrat.
Production Sponsor: Ted McClellan
This play is available for licensing! Please contact us for details.
musical, 2F/3M
Michael Barrett Austin*
Ben Euphrat*
Sam Jackson
Caitlyn Louchard
Clive Worsley
Costume design: Tammy Berlin
Lighting design: Gary Graves
Prop design: Debbie Shelley
Sound & projection design: Gregory Scharpen
Stage manager: Vanessa Ramos
Special Scenic Installation: Reenie Charrière
*member AEA
Izzy(Caitlyn Louchard) and Cree (Sam Jackson) join the crew of the Rainbow Warrior 2 on a mission to save the whales in Central Works’ new musical, Project Ahab; or, Eye of the Whale.
Photo by J. Norrena
Captain Franklin (Clive Worsely) answers only to the whales, not the people.
Photo by J. Norrena
Sam Jackson as Cree and Ben Euphrat* as Mel
Photo by J. Norrena
(*member AEA)
Michael Barrett Austin* as Hunter and Clive Worsley as Franklin
Photo by J. Norrena
(*member AEA)
Editors’ Picks: Theatre Bay Area Magazine
Recommended Production: Theatre Bay Area Magazine
“One of Central Works’ better shows, full of powerful performances” – S. Hurwitt, San Jose Mercury News
“This week’s theatrical recommendation…[a] brilliant and moving work of theatre.” – The Rumpus
5 Stars! “It’s a wonder. Project Ahab is must see theatre!” – C. Kruger, TheatreStorm
“Adaptations of Herman Melville’s Moby Dick abound, but Central Works’ longtime resident playwright, Gary Graves, is re-envisioning the classic in a fresh way.” – J. Schiffman, SF Examiner
Listen to the show creators being interviewed on KALW’s Open Air
Listen to the original song, Face East
Face East was composed for this project
Lyrics: Ben Euphrat & Gary Graves
Music & Music Direction: Ben Euphrat
Lead vocals: Sam Jackson
Ensemble and musicians: Michael Barrett Austin*, Ben Euphrat*, Caitlyn Louchard & Clive Worsley
Read Melville’s Moby Dick (or find the Marvel Comics version)
The documentary film A Fierce Green Fire tells the history of the environmental movement. It is available to view on Netflix and i-tunes. Act 3 describes the 1970’s fight to save the whales.
Minke Whale Composite Portrait I – Detail by Bryant Austin
