BWW Reviews: THE WHIPPING MAN is Gripping Drama at GSP through 2/14

"You don't lose your faith not getting answers, you lose your faith not asking questions."

-The Whipping Man

The Whipping Man is a bold and exciting drama now at George Street Playhouse (GSP) through February 15th. You will be mesmerized by this historical saga that sheds light on an element of Civil War history rarely considered, the Jewish experience in the segregated South. The Whipping Man is a show for the ages, one that should be seen by everyone.

With a remarkable cast and absolutely brilliant direction by Seret Scott, this play is a must-see for metropolitan area audiences. And the GSP production is very timely with the 150th Anniversary of the end of the Civil War and also the assassination of President, Abraham Lincoln.

Playwright Matthew Lopez has masterfully created a stark and startling view of the trials of three men in the aftermath of war. The Whipping Man has earned the Drama Desk Award for Best New Play and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Play. It has become one of the most-produced plays in the country in the recent past.

Set in Richmond, Virginia in April of 1865, the play starts with Caleb, a Jewish Confederate soldier, returning to the ruins of his family home with life-threatening wounds. The house is inhabited by only two of the family's former slaves, elderly Simon and a young man, John who were both raised in the family's Jewish faith. Simon's integrity, religious devotion and hopes for the future are contrasted by John's roguish behavior and Caleb's dispirited attitude. Yet the three men, bound by their beliefs, share an improvised Seder at Passover. But tensions erupt as incidents from the past and family secrets are revealed. The plot's twists and turns make The Whipping Man a stunning piece of theatre.

The three actors in GSP's production give stellar performances. Adam Gerber as Caleb is compelling as he endures a near death struggle with his gangrenous leg. Luke Forbes as John provides a stunning re-enactment of the abuse he suffered at the hands of the whipping man. He is a clever, learned man, but a rebellious sort who steals from nearby abandoned homes. Ron Canada as Simon is a thoughtful man of rare loyalty as he yearns to be reunited with his wife and daughter yet takes care of the younger men. When Simon tells the Caleb and John of Abraham Lincoln's assassination and his own brief meeting with "Father Abraham," it is an incredibly moving moment. It is the Seder that you will revisit again and again in your mind when you think about this extraordinary show.

The creative team for the show has brought The Whipping Man to full life on the GSP stage with scenic design by Jason Simms, costume design by Helen Huang, lighting design by Burke Brown and sound design by Ted Crimy. Casting is by McCorkle Casting, Ltd.

The Whipping Man is now on stage at George Street Playhouse through February 15th. The playhouse is located in the heart of the city's vibrant theatre and restaurant district at 9 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. For more information and ticketing call (732) 246-7717 or visit their web site at www.georgestreetplayhouse.org.

Photo Credit: T. Charles Erickson

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