Playwright Samuel D. Hunter pleads his case in 'A Case for the Existence of God'

Playwright Samuel D. Hunter writes about existential struggles. A rising star, he became widely known for “The Whale,” the critically acclaimed play that he adapted to the Academy Award-winning movie starring Brendan Frasier. It tells the story of a man who is stuck figuratively, and literally, as a morbidly obese person marooned on his couch. “The Whale” is about isolation, the yearning for connection and the contradictions that live within us all.

In his latest work, “A Case for the Existence of God,” Hunter revisits the existential questions that shadow us: what is the point of sorrow? Where do we find the common ground on which we can build relationships? And how can we manifest hope amid despair? With his play now in Boston by way of SpeakEasy Stage Company, Hunter joins The Culture Show host and GBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen to talk about this deeply moving production.

Then, poets Diana Khoi Nguyen and Cindy Juyoung Ok are friends and collaborators. In her latest collection of poems, titled “Root Fractures: Poems,” Nguyen writes about moments that rupture a family, and she examines what can take root after a disaster. Cindy Juyoung Ok's forthcoming book of poetry, titled “Ward Toward,” moves among the psych ward, the prison cell and the hospice ward: places and institutions of constraint and confinement.

Nguyen and Ok will both be at Harvard Book Storetonight at 7 p.m. to talk about their new work in conversation with poet Sandra Lim; before the event, they join The Culture Show to talk about what led them to tour together and the inspirations behind their work.

Finally, it's another public service arts announcement. The Boston Comic Arts Foundation is launching a new series of events, starting tonight; it's titled “Picture + Panel,” a monthly graphic novel event produced in partnership with Porter Square Books and Aeronaut Brewing Company. The debut event is a discussion between writers Rosemary Mosco and Dan Nott titled Hidden Worlds. Zach Clemente, president of the board of directors for the Boston Comic Arts Foundation will moderate. He joins the show to talk about what to expect and what to look forward to.

It's all on The Culture Show — listen to the full episode above!