Production History

Richmond, Virginia, April 1865. A wounded Confederate soldier returns to his family’s ruined home and finds only two formerly enslaved men remaining. Caleb, Simon, and John share a history and a Jewish faith, but emancipation has fundamentally changed their relationships. As they gather for a makeshift Passover Seder, the celebration of deliverance brings unresolved betrayals and buried family secrets into sharp focus. Matthew López’s three-person drama examines freedom, faith, and the responsibilities that survive the end of slavery. Directed by Linda McDonald, CST’s production included additional 10 a.m. student matinees on April 7 and 14, supported by special Allied Arts educational outreach funding for area high school students.

CST Connections

CST later presented Matthew López’s The Legend of Georgia McBride as the opener of Season 36 in September 2019.
Linda McDonald returned to direct The Santaland Diaries in 2019.
Justice Wickstrom participated in CST’s 2020 LiveOnline! presentation of The Postman Always Rings Twice.
Mark Fairchild later appeared as Rexy in The Legend of Georgia McBride and designed sound for The Santaland Diaries.

Press and Photography

“‘Whipping Man’ Re-creates Civil War Era,” The Oklahoman, April 6, 2017 — Review by John Brandenburg.
“Carpenter Square Theatre Presents Civil War Drama ‘The Whipping Man,’” Oklahoma Gazette — Production feature.
“Production Features Post-Civil War Drama,” Edmond Life & Leisure — Announcement featuring a provided photograph of Justice Wickstrom, Thonie Lee, and Michael Page. edmondlifeandleisure.com

Acknowledgments

Cast Sponsor: Karyl Lee.
Costume Sponsor: Vina Showers.
Ticket Sponsors: John and Marsha Greiner; Karyl Lee; Don and Debbie Nevard.
Season Sponsors: Ed and Janet Bucknell; Mel and Cindy Ables.
Institutional Support: Oklahoma Arts Council; National Endowment for the Arts; Kirkpatrick Family Fund.
Educational Outreach: Special Allied Arts funding supported the student matinees. Carpenter Square Theatre was an Allied Arts member agency.

Licensing

Samuel French, Inc. — now administered through Concord Theatricals.

THEATRE UP CLOSE & PERSONAL

Michael Page