Arden Theatre Company's THE WHIPPING MAN Opens 10/27

Arden Theatre Company 2011/12 main stage season continues with The Whipping Man a Civil War drama by Matthew Lopez and directed by Matt Pfeiffer. This story of legacy and redemption will appear on the Arden's Arcadia Stage from October 27-December 18, 2011.

In The Whipping Man, the Civil War has just come to an end. A Jewish Confederate soldier returns to his home, reuniting with his family's former slaves. Amidst the rubble from the war, these three men gather to create order, honor their shared faith and celebrate newfound freedom on Passover. Philadelphia actors Johnnie Hobbs, Jr. (Blue Door) and James Ijames (Superior Donuts, Romeo and Juliet) portray the slaves, alongside Cody Nickell (Crime and Punishment, The Wilma Theater's production of The Understudy) as Caleb, the young wounded soldier.

"We are proud to introduce up-and-coming playwright Matthew Lopez to Philadelphia audiences with The Whipping Man," says Terrence J. Nolen, the Arden's Producing Artistic Director. "This unexpected story rooted in history will inspire great discussion about religion, identity and freedom, and I'm thrilled with the team of artists we've assembled to bring the play to life on our stage."

The Whipping Man first premiered in 2006 and recently completed an acclaimed, sold-out run at Manhattan Theatre Club. This year, playwright Matthew Lopez was awarded the John Gassner Playwrighting Award by the Outer Critics Circle. Lopez holds new play commissions from Roundabout Theatre Company and The Old Globe, where he is also Artist-in-Residence.

Director Matt Pfeiffer (A Moon for the Misbegotten, Romeo and Juliet) will create the crumbling Virginia home on the Arden's intimate Arcadia stage along with set designer David P. Gordon (Barrymore Award for If You Give A Mouse A Cookie), costume designer Alison Roberts (August: Osage County, A Moon for the Misbegotten), lighting designer Thom Weaver (Barrymore nominations for Blue Door and The Flea and the Professor), and sound designer Christopher Colucci (Barrymore nomination for Rabbit Hole).

The final dress rehearsal of The Whipping Man on Wednesday, October 26 at 8pm is open to the public as a Pay-What-You-Can performance, with all proceeds collected donated to the Jewish Federation.

The Whipping Man previews begin on Thursday, October 27. Preview performances run October 27, 28, 29, 30 and November 1. Opening night is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 2, 2011. Closing is set for Sunday, December 18, 2011.

Single ticket prices are $29- $48, with discounts available for seniors, students, military and educators. Groups of 10+ enjoy significant discounts; please inquire about group rates. Call the Arden Box Office at 215.922.1122, order online at www.ardentheatre.org, or visit the box office at 40 N. 2nd Street in Old City, Philadelphia.

The Arden is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices and large-print programs at every performance. Open Captioned and Audio Described performances will take place on Friday, December 2 at 8pm and Saturday, December 3 at 2pm. Reservations are required for accessible seating and may be made by calling the Arden's Box Office at 215.922.1122.