Starbuck, one of the characters in Herman Melville's "Moby Dick," is the first mate on board the Pequod. Accoridng to a character analysis on shmoop.com, "Unfortunately, despite his caution and his morality, Starbuck finds himself strangely unable to resist Captain Ahab’s mad quest for vengeance." And, "Like Hamlet, Starbuck will face a moment when he’s tempted to commit a righteous murder to avoid future bloodshed – and like Hamlet, he won’t be able to do it. ...And, yes, the coffee company is named for this guy."

The play "Starbuck by Whalelight," which has its American premier in Asheville this weekend, is an adaptation of "Moby-Dick." It was conceived and created by Sarah Larson. The Asheville Theatre Festival (https://www.facebook.com/AshevilleTheatreFestival) presents the production tonight (Thursday, Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m.) and tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 1, 1 p.m.) at The Masonic Temple (80 Broadway St.). It stars Able Allen as Starbuck and Alex Murphy as Ahab. Music by Free Planet Radio, Daniel Barber and Lytingale.

Stay for a talk back after the matinee show with Dr. Farley Snell, Mario DeCesare, Mike Ross, Marilyn Ungaro and Karen Cragnolin, moderated by Carol Anders. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children and students, and are available online at http://www.etix.com.

Art by Matt Kish.