BWW Reviews: THE WHIPPING MAN at Center Stage

When I first read about the play The Whipping Man by Matthew Lopez at New York's initimate City Center Stage I Theater produced by the Manhattan Theater Club, it intrigued me.  When I heard that Andre Braugher would be in it, that sealed the deal.

We had tickets in the first row and one could literally reach out and touch the actors. 

I enjoyed it so much I recommended it to the new Center Stage Artistic Director, Kwame Kwei-Armah.  I give him credit for deciding to bring this thought-provoking piece to Baltimore.

The play occurs in 1865 in a ruined war-torn remains of a home in Richmond, VA. The setting is April 13-15. 

Just a few days earlier, on April 9, 1865 General Robert E. Lee surrended at the Appromatoxx Court House and the Civil War was over.  Five days later on Good Friday April 14, President Lincoln is shot.  It is also the fifth day of Passover. Lincoln dies on April 15.

A confluence of religions. Good Friday, Passover, and the slaves are freed.

Leave it to Playwright Lopez to see the connection.  During the Passover seder, Jews around the world recite the story of the Israelites who were delivered from bondage and in the United States sing the spiritual "Let My People Go".  In the South, for Jews, it is hard to imagine singing that song while having slaves.

It was a difficult moment to live in Richmond, VA. The city was savaged and homes were destroyed. There was little food or water.

The play opens with  a Confederate soldier (and probably a deserter), Caleb DeLeon (Michael Micalizzi) arriving back to his shattered homestead with a severe injury to his leg.  Caleb happens to be Jewish (yes about 3,000 Jews fought for the Confederacy and for a book on the subject read "Jews and the Civil War" edited by Jonathon D. Sarna and Adam Mendelson) and like many Virginians owned slaves. Two of them survived the war and were hold up in Caleb's home. The twist here is that both slaves, Simon (played by the incomporable Kevyn Morrow and John (played by the terrific Johnny Ramey) are Jewish, taking the religion of their owner.

After caring for Caleb's gangrenous leg by amputating it, Simon plans for a seder. He leaves it to the scavenger John to get the necessary articles for the sedar.  He scrounged the neighborhood and stole some wine. Since no matzo was available, they substituted a small square of hardtack which was a dense breadstuff used in soldiers' rations.  Collard greens were used for bitter herbs

Though he can't read, Simon recites the service by memory, including some Hebrew prayers (very well done I might add).  The audience is astonished at Simon's ability to recite so well the prayers in Hebrew.  Simon then recites the following from the seder: "Let all who are hungry come and eat. Let all who are in need come celebrate Pesach.  This year we are slaves, next year we will be free." 

Then Simon in a deep voice, starts to sing the spiritual "Let My People Go". You feel the tension in the theater. 

There is so much more in the play. This is just a snapshot.

The acting is superb, the scenic design by Neil Patel is terrific, the lighting by Michelle Habeck is superb, and the costumes by David Burdick are wonderful.

Kudos go to Director Kwame Kwei-Armah. This is his first undertaking since taking over as Center Stage Artistic Director.  I look forward to many more productions under him.

This is a play not to be missed.

It continues only to May 13. I wish it could be extended.

For tickets call 410-332-0033 or visit www.centerstage.org.

And if you want to compare productions, The Whipping Man is also playing at Theater J in DC until May 20. Call 1-800-494-8497 or visit www.theaterj.org.

               

                       E. Faye Butler CLOSES CENTER STAGE SEASON MAY 17-20

After three wonderful seasons, Center Stage is concluding their Cabaret Series with a return engagment of the phenomenal E. Faye Butler who will perform May 17-20.  She returns to Center Stage with an all-new act, "What a Difference a Diva Makes".

Tickets are $10-$30. Visit www.centerstage.org/cabaret.

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com

 

 

 

 

 

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