In the poignant play ‘Deep Blue Sound’, a group of Pacific Northwesterners grapple with ecological disaster and personal demons, resulting in a rich, funny, and devastating portrait of a community.
The play ‘Deep Blue Sound‘ by Abe Koogler is a rich, funny, and devastating portrait of a group of Pacific Northwesterners struggling to connect with each other in the face of ecological disaster. The play’s title, which alludes to sonic waves that penetrate or don’t penetrate the oceanic highways of whales, sets the tone for a story that explores the impact of human-made noise on both humans and animals.
A Community in Crisis
The play takes place on an island in the Puget Sound, where a pod of whales has stopped visiting due to the pollution caused by human-made noise. The characters are all struggling with their own personal demons, including emotional muteness, loneliness, and disconnection from each other. Despite their attempts to communicate, they are unable to truly connect, leading to a sense of desperation and despair.
Whales are marine mammals that belong to the order Cetacea.
They are divided into two suborders: baleen whales (Mysticeti) and toothed whales (Odontoceti).
The largest animal on Earth, blue whales can grow up to 33 meters in length and weigh over 180 metric tons.
Whales feed on krill, plankton, fish, and other marine animals.
They communicate using low-frequency sounds, known as vocalizations.
There are approximately 86 species of whales worldwide, ranging from the small dwarf sperm whale to the massive blue whale.
A Talented Cast
The cast is incredibly talented, with standout performances from Crystal Finn, Arnie Burton, Mia Katigbak, Jan Leslie Harding, Maryann Plunkett, Ryan King, and Carmen Zilles. Each actor brings their own unique energy to the stage, making the play feel like a ‘tasting menu of acting brilliance.’
Direction and Design
The direction by Arin Arbus is superbly focused and balanced, bringing to mind Thornton Wilder’s ‘Our Town‘ in its spareness and dreamy drift from fragmentary scene to direct address. The design is minimalist, with a green carpet, wooden chairs, and a picture of a whale hanging on the wall creating an intimate and immersive atmosphere. The lighting by Isabella Byrd is scrupulously functional, while Emily Rebholz’s character-perfect couture and Mikaal Sulaiman’s tactical heightening of sound add to the overall effect.
Design is a multidisciplinary field that involves creating solutions to complex problems.
It encompasses various aspects, including visual communication, user experience, and product development.
Effective design requires a deep understanding of human behavior, psychology, and technology.
According to the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID), there are over 1 million designers worldwide, with the industry projected to grow by 13% annually.
Design principles, such as balance, contrast, and proximity, are essential for creating visually appealing and user-friendly products.
A Must-See Production
‘Deep Blue Sound**’ is a must-see production that will leave you laughing, crying, and thinking about the impact of human-made noise on both humans and animals. With its talented cast, superb direction, and minimalist design, this play is a model of less-is-more eloquent restraint. Don’t miss it!
