Pacific Theatre Presents THE WHIPPING MAN, 2/27-3/21

Pacific Theatre presents The Whipping Man by Matthew Lopez, a stirring drama where a critically wounded Confederate soldier returns to his broken home and newly-emancipated slaves. Playing Feb 27-Mar 21 8pm with 2pm matinees on Saturdays. Pay-what-you-can preview Thurs, Feb 26 at Pacific Theatre, 1440 W 12th Ave. For tickets ($19.99-29.99, taxes and fees not incl.) call 604.731.5518 or visit pacifictheatre.org.

As the war ends, the struggle begins. The Civil War has come to a bloody end. On the eve of Passover, Caleb DeLeon (played by Giovanni Mocibob), a critically wounded Jewish Confederate soldier, returns to his ruined home where two family slaves, wait. The three men are left to sort through the tangled history of slavery, race, and religion in Pacific Theatre's production of The Whipping Man by Matthew Lopez.

Opening at Pacific Theatre during Black History Month, The Whipping Man brings massive social and political change to a personal level: how do you interact with a person who used to be your possession? Do you offer help to a man who used to own you? What do you call each other?

"I'm excited to do this show because of the cultural significance it has for me being an African American born and raised in the south eastern region of the United States", says actor Carl Kennedy (nominated for a Jessie Award for his role in Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train at Pacific Theatre) on the historical context of the story.

"As Canadians we generally consider ourselves free of racism... But really our form of racism is more insidious and subtle", says director Anthony F. Ingram (director of Pacific Theatre's The Seafarer, winner of Outstanding Production in Large Theatre in the 2014 Jessie Awards) on the importance of The Whipping Man for Vancouverites, "I see these themes being scratched at in this story where people of two minority groups are struggling with how to deal with each other once a new regime has been announced."

It was customary for slaves to take on the religion of their household, and so Simon and John, the two remaining DeLeon slaves, are Jewish. Where four years of war has taken Caleb's faith from him, Simon and John find that their newfound freedom gives Passover a special meaning.

American playwright Matthew Lopez has written five plays including The Whipping Man. While he has raised eyebrows as a gay, Latin American playwright writing plays about Judaism and African American slavery, The Whipping Man has won Obie and Lucille Lortel Awards. He is currently a staff writer for HBO's "The Newsroom."

The Whipping Man features Carl Kennedy, Tom Pickett, and Giovanni Mocibob. Directed by Anthony F. Ingram who has reassembled much of his award-winning team from The Seafarer: Set Designer Drew Facey, Lighting Designer Lauchlin Johnston, and Stage Manager Jethelo E. Cabilete. Sound Design by Jeff Tymoschuk. Costume Design by Amy McDougall.