In the Belly of the Whale, or the Jonah Play

by Georgette Kelly

(3W, 2M) Astrid is a sculptor. Domino is a hoarder. Jona is a writer. Calliope is a parrot. They all live together—separately—in a Manhattan studio apartment building. When it begins to rain…and rain…and rain…they pile into one of Astrid’s sculptures and float out to sea. The adventure that ensues tests their endurance, as they lose one world and create another in the belly of a whale. This new take on...

(3W, 2M) Astrid is a sculptor. Domino is a hoarder. Jona is a writer. Calliope is a parrot. They all live together—separately—in a Manhattan studio apartment building. When it begins to rain…and rain…and rain…they pile into one of Astrid’s sculptures and float out to sea. The adventure that ensues tests their endurance, as they lose one world and create another in the belly of a whale. This new take on the biblical story of Jonah asks the question: What does it mean to be swallowed, by a great fish? By a city? By yourself?

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In the Belly of the Whale, or the Jonah Play

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: In the Belly of the Whale, or the Jonah Play by Georgette Kelly
    “

    A marvelous adventure taking the biblical story of Jonah to new dimensions. Well done!

    A marvelous adventure taking the biblical story of Jonah to new dimensions. Well done!

    ”
  • National New Play Network: In the Belly of the Whale, or the Jonah Play by Georgette Kelly
    “

    This play was developed at The National New Play Network MFA Playwrights Workshop. This program, conducted annually in conjunction with The Kennedy Center and the National Center for New Plays, provides a graduate–level student playwright with an NNPN-affiliated director and dramaturg, a professional cast for a week of script development, and an introduction to the Network, its Membership, and programs.

    This play was developed at The National New Play Network MFA Playwrights Workshop. This program, conducted annually in conjunction with The Kennedy Center and the National Center for New Plays, provides a graduate–level student playwright with an NNPN-affiliated director and dramaturg, a professional cast for a week of script development, and an introduction to the Network, its Membership, and programs.

    ”

Development History

  • Workshop, Taffety Punk, Washington D.C., 2016
  • Workshop, Something Marvelous, Chicago, IL, 2016
  • Workshop, National New Play Network MFA Playwrights' Workshop at The Kennedy Center, 2014