From the producers of Where Within and The Show of Many Things comes the world premiere of this new comedy, MPAT’s Burt Thunders Presents: The First Annual Fundraiser to Save the Whales! Fading local celebrity, Burt Thunders, is raising one million dollars to save all the whales for all time.
This show asks the question of how far you’d go to make the world a better place. Just this once. Get ready for a WHALE of a good time!
“My friends and family can attest that this play has been a passion project of mine for like nearly 8 years.” says playwright Sam Keeney. “Last year, I got the chance to see Evan Spreen’s (who is also the director of this show) piece “Unsweet Perdition” as a part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival. It really motivated me to finally get something I wrote put up on its feet instead of collecting dust in my Google Drive.”
Many team members for Save The Whales are returning Fringe Veterans-past projects include 2025’s The Show of Many Things, a multi-award-nominated improvised immersive experience, 2025’s Unsweet Perdition, an abstract science fiction play, 2024’s Where Within, a multi-award-nominated new musical, and 2023’s Valley of Light, an original musical. Outside of Hollywood Fringe, additional projects include 2024’s The Cleanup Crew, a multi-award-winning actual-play comedy, 2023’s The Showroom, an interactive murder mystery produced in collaboration with Last Call Theatre, and 2022’s Stardust, an immersive theatre experience from Alterea Inc.
Save The Whales is written and executive produced by Sam Keeny, directed by Evan Spreen, assistant directed by Ryan Holzer, stage managed by Stella Cricket, assistant stage managed by Marcel Lacey, sound designed by Ian Sutherland, lighting designed by Zachary Seaton Lewis, scenic designed by Dominique Jakowec, costume and makeup designed by Amelia Mackey, video produced by Brandon Whipple, art directed by Maya Keeney, EDIA coordinated by Pragya Bhatt, mental health coordinated by Michelle Belmont, and produced by Jason Pollak, Amelia Mackey, Naomi Melville, and Michaela Skaribas. The cast includes Eric Schinzer, Taína Estévez, Marcus Escobar, Lisa Eve, Naomi Melville, Amelia Mackey, Shelby Ryan Lee, and Brandon Whipple.
Save The Whales previews on Saturday, June 6th and runs from June 14th to June 25th, with a runtime of 90 minutes. Save The Whales has five performances in Zephyr Theatre at 7456 Melrose Avenue. Tickets are available to purchase for $20 via the Hollywood Fringe website. This show is a fundraiser for marine conservation, with all proceeds going towards The Bay Foundation, an organization dedicated to restoring and protecting Santa Monica Bay.
Tickets and more information on the show can be found at https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/13611
Learn more about The Bay Foundation and donate today at https://www.santamonicabay.org/
About Fables and Rumors
Fables and Rumors Productions is an LA-based theatre company for new works, prioritizing the power of storytelling. Stories allow us to teach and learn, to see and feel through the experiences of others, and to connect to our community, culture, and history. To learn more about us, you can find us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @fablesandrumors
Sam Keeney (Writer/Executive Producer) is a writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. While not working as a Development Associate for a local educational non-profit, he finds time to collaborate with other artists in whatever way possible. Recently, he has served as a writer and member of the film production company “Some Dude Productions,” where he has written and produced several scripts for online release. While his introduction to writing was in theatre, MPAT’s Burt Thunders Presents: The First Annual Fundraiser to Save The Whales represents his first theatrical work in several years and his first to be put up on stage. He hopes to continue writing and finding new ways to be engaged in the Los Angeles theatre scene.
Evan Spreen (Director) is an award winning LGBTQ Director, Playwright, and Poet. He has worked with various theatrical communities including New Mexico, Poland, and Japan. Most recently he wrote and directed Amelia? as part of the Brisk Festival at the Morgan-Wixson. He’s thrilled to be returning to the Hollywood Fringe after premiering his science fiction play Unsweet Perdition in 2025. He is a proud member of the DGA, HWA, and SFWA.
2026 Theater Fans’ Choice Awards – Live Stats
Best New Play – Top 3
1.
Liberation
30.9% of votes
3.
Dog Day Afternoon
15.2% of votes
