''Deep Blue Sound'' is a dramatic

stage play A play is a form of drama that primarily consists of dialogue between characters and is intended for theatrical performance rather than mere reading. The creator of a play is known as a playwright. Plays are staged at various levels, ranging ...

written by American playwright

Abe Koogler Abe Koogler is an American playwright. Koogler studied playwrighting at the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin and is a graduate of the Juilliard School Playwrighting Fellowship. He received an Obie Award for his pl ...

. The play tells the story of various occupants of a small town off the coast of

Puget Sound Puget Sound ( ; ) is a complex estuary, estuarine system of interconnected Marine habitat, marine waterways and basins located on the northwest coast of the U.S. state of Washington (state), Washington. As a part of the Salish Sea, the sound ...

trying to decipher why the local whales have disappeared. One of the townspeople, Ella, is dying of cancer and wishes to utilize the Death with Dignity Act.

Production history

Off-Broadway (2023)

The play premiered Off-Broadway, produced by Clubbed Thumb as a part of their summer season. The production was directed by Arin Arbus with set design by ''dots'' and lighting by Isabella Byrd. For her performance,

Maryann Plunkett Maryann Plunkett is an American actress and singer. Plunkett made her Broadway debut playing Sister Agnes in '' Agnes of God''. In 1987, she won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance as Sally Smith in ''Me and ...

was the recipient of an

Obie Award The Obie Awards or Off-Broadway Theater Awards are annual awards given since 1956 by ''The Village Voice'' newspaper to theater artists and groups involved in off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway productions in New York City. Starting just after th ...

for Distinguished Performance. The title comes from a specific group of Eastern North Pacific Gray whales known locally as “the Sounders”, who historically migrate through Puget Sound in early March and stay until May. Whale spotting is a popular pastime in the area.

Off-Broadway (2025)

The play was announced to have another staging this time at

The Public Theater The Public Theater is an arts organization in New York City. Founded by Joseph Papp, The Public Theater was originally the Shakespeare Workshop in 1954; its mission was to support emerging playwrights and performers.Epstein, Helen. ''Joe Papp: ...

s Shiva Theatre, with Maryann Plunkett reprising her role as Ella and Arin Arbus returning as director. The production opened for previews on February 25 and was scheduled to run until March 29, however due to high ticket sales and positive reviews, the final performance was moved to April 5, 2025. The production received a nomination for

Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play is an annual award presented by Drama Desk in recognition of achievements in the theatre across collective Broadway, off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway productions in New York City. The award was initially ...

, along with Plunkett receiving a nomination for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play.

Original cast and characters

References

{{reflist American plays 2023 plays Off-Broadway plays Maritime folklore