A dead whale that washed ashore in Florence, Oregon over 30 years ago has given birth to a one-man show…with the help of a half-ton of dynamite.
In 1970 the Oregon Highway Division used a half-ton of dynamite to dispose of a whale carcass that had beached itself in Lane County. The result was a rain of blubber, a smashed car and a hilarious news story that went on to become the fifth most watched viral video on the Internet.
But the video is only beginning. The rest of the story is brought to light in “Countdown: The Story of the Exploding Whale,” the meticulously researched new one-man show from writer and comedian Chris Gummert. And what a story it is! It’s an odd tome full of twists and turns. Gummert utilizes an exciting range of storytelling technology to weave a bizarre, multi-media tale that touches on unwanted presents, stolen teeth and the importance of scheduling vacation days. In addition to picking apart the dynamite disposal the show also looks at the previous attempt to dispose of a whale in Lane County, which was no less ridiculous and only slightly more successful.
WEEKENDER Section W Get Outta Town!
We present our annual Tri-State Travel Guide for the restless road warriors and the hapless homebody alike. Oh, the places you’ll go…like to page W4.
METRO SECTION Section M Theater Review
Spaulding Gray Whale? Theater Critic Sharron Kruger reviews Ryan Hastings’ one-man version of “Moby Dick.” In a nutshell, “Call me Ish-appointed.” Page M9.
City Hall Confidential
Profiles in Sewage! We interview City Sanitation Commissioner Nathaniel Troy. What will we flush out? Find out on pageM14.
BUSINESS BRIEFS Section B Your Money and Your Life
Theater: Is It Good For Your Checkbook? Business Correspondent Ann Juneau looks at the fine art of investing in the arts. Page B1.
The rest of the story is brought to light in “Countdown: The Story of the Exploding Whale,” the meticulously researched new one-man show from writer and comedian Chris Gummert. And what a story it is! It’s an odd tome full of twists and turns. Gummert utilizes an exciting range of storytelling technology to weave a bizarre, multi-media tale that touches on unwanted presents, stolen teeth and the importance of scheduling vacation days. In addition to picking apart the dynamite disposal the show also looks at the previous attempt to dispose of a whale in Lane County, which was no less ridiculous and only slightly more successful.
warriors and the hapless homebody alike. Oh, the places you’ll go…like to 
Ryan Hastings’ one-man version of “Moby Dick.” In a nutshell, “Call me Ish-appointed.” 
Sanitation Commissioner Nathaniel Troy. What will we flush out? Find out on 
Business Correspondent Ann Juneau looks at the fine art of investing in the arts. 