Taproot Theatre Hosts Seattle Premiere of THE WHIPPING MAN, Now thru 4/27

Can loyalty and freedom coexist? A Jewish Confederate soldier and two of his former slaves are left to observe Passover together in the wake of the Civil War, prompting the challenging examination and reconciliation of the past while revealing the fear and uncertainty of venturing into a new future.

Producing Artistic Director, Scott Nolte directs the Seattle Premiere of The Whipping Man, which opens March 29 and runs through April 27, with previews tonight March 27 and March 28.

The Whipping Man premiered off-Broadway in 2011 at Manhattan Theatre Club, for which playwright Matthew Lopez was awarded the John Gassner Playwriting Award from the Outer Critics Circle. Having rapidly gained in popularity, The Whipping Man is currently being widely produced throughout the country.

Matthew Lopez has been described as a, "foxhole Episcopalian from the Florida Panhandle, the son of a Puerto Rican father and a Polish-Russian mother," so it may seem peculiar that he write a play about a Jewish Confederate soldier and his former slaves, also raised Jews, celebrating Passover in the wake of the Civil War. Mr. Lopez said in an interview that, "We as Americans have to take responsibility for our past, even if most of us in the country today are not descendants of slaveholders." The important question he wanted to look at is universal: What do we do now?

Amidst the stark reality of war, the setting of The Whipping Man is historic, but the questions have never been more current. Taproot Theatre is excited to share stories like this that challenge the reexamination our nation's past in order to truly understand our nation's present and is partnering with the John Perkins Center for Reconciliation at Seattle Pacific University and the Anti-Defamation League in effort to aid in the discussion of these important issues.

Taproot Theatre's Seattle Premiere of The Whipping Man is directed by Producing Artistic Director, Scott Nolte and features Seattle's veteran actor, William Hall, Jr., as well as Ryan Childers and Tyler Trerise. The production team includes scenic and sound designer Mark Lund, costume designer Sarah Burch Gordon and lighting designer Andrew Duff. Claire Branch serves as stage manager, Ellory Hartnett as dialect coach and Sonja Lowe as dramaturg.

Note: This play is set within the reality of wartime suffering. It contains profane language and vivid descriptions of war and slavery. Recommended for ages 16+.

The Whipping Man will run tonight, March 27-April 27 (Wednesday-Thursday, 7:30 pm; Friday-Saturday, 8 pm; Saturday matinees, 2 pm) at Taproot Theatre Company, 204 North 85th Street, Seattle, WA.

Dates to note:

Previews: March 27 & 28, 8 pm
Opening night: March 29, 8 pm
Pay What You Can: April 3, 7:30 pm
Senior Matinee: April 3, 2 pm
Student Matinee: April 2 & 24, 10 am
Free Conversations Event: April 16
Post-play Discussions: Wednesday & Thursday nights, excluding previews

Tickets are available online at www.taproottheatre.org/buy-tickets and through Taproot Theatre's box office by calling 206.781.9707 or visiting the box office located at the front of the theatre. Tickets range from $20-40, depending on the performance. Taproot offers a $5 senior/student discount off regular priced tickets (excludes previews or specially priced performances). Tickets for the midweek senior matinee are $20. Discounts are available for parties of 8 or more through Group Sales; call 206.781.9708. Tickets for the pay-what-you-can performance are available day of show at the box office window; contact the box office for details.

Taproot Theatre Company is a professional, non-profit theatre company with a multi?faceted production program. Founded in 1976, Taproot Theatre serves the Pacific Northwest with Mainstage Productions, Touring Productions and the Acting Studio. Taproot exists to create theatre that explores the beauty and questions of life while bringing hope to our search for meaning. Taproot Theatre Company is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), Theatre Puget Sound (TPS), Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Association (PNA) and the Greenwood?Phinney Chamber of Commerce.