By Gary Wien
originally published: 01/25/2015
Matthew Lopez's
The Whipping Man is a powerful, emotionally-draining drama that is brilliantly produced by George Street Playhouse. Running now through February 15, George Street has outdone itself with this production. It's a play about the choices we make in life; how they define us, and what they say about the people we are. Featuring an outstanding cast and crisp direction from Seret Scott, the play should definitely be on your radar as a must see production.
The Whipping Man was first produced by New Jersey's Luna Stage in 2006. Since then, it has become one of the most widely produced new works in recent years. This production stars Ron Canada as Simon, Luke Forbes as John, and Adam Gerber as Caleb. Set in Richmond, Virginia shortly after the end of the Civil War, the play takes place in Caleb's home — or what's left of it since looters have taken just about everything. As the play begins, Caleb, a Jewish Confederate soldier, returns home wounded from battle. The horse he rode home with has died on the front yard and he stumbles into his house. There he meets Simon, once a slave owned by his family, and the barrel of Simon's shotgun.
The elderly Simon has been waiting for Caleb's family and his own to return home. He has spent time helping out the wounded in the hospital and instantly realizes that Caleb's leg has gone gangrene and needs to come off. Caleb refuses to go to the hospital, insisting that Simon take the leg off at home.
"All these things you're telling me to do, by rights you have to ask," Simon reminds him.
Not soon afterwards, John appears. John too was a slave in Caleb's family. Much younger than Simon, John is roughly Caleb's age and the two grew up together much like brothers. While Simon believes that helping Caleb is the right thing to do, John wonders, "How is this our problem anymore?"
John ultimately helps Simon remove Caleb's leg in a scene that is incredibly tense and not for the feint of heart. Adam Gerber lies on a makeshift bed, writhing with pain as the audience watches in suspense. It's unlike anything I've ever seen on stage before, yet it only foreshadows the true pain in the story.
While Simon wants to enjoy his freedom, John wants revenge. Luke Forbes is terrific as a young adult with a world of demons in his past. Growing up, John was often a problem child and regularly made trips to the whipping man. He was beaten for his desire to be educated. John read book after book and asked questions of the world — questions that still remain, even after being set free. His character has so much anger inside of him, you wonder if he will literally explode on stage.
Meanwhile, Ron Canada is brilliant as Simon, an ex-slave who has earned his right to be angry yet keeps his anger in check. In many ways, Simon's character has more pain inside him than the other two combined. It is a tremendously nuanced performance that will stun you in the end.
Along the way, the three's Hebrew heritage is something they still have in common, even though Caleb says he lost his faith on the battlefield. When John a datebook he "found" says it's around Passover, Simon plans to hold a Seder. Caleb accuses him of stealing the datebook to which John replies, "Look who's accusing who of stealing time."
Simon is proud to have served in a Jewish household all these years, believing that Caleb's family treated them as one of the family. He reminds John of how he and Caleb were like two peas in a pod, best friends forever.
"It's not a friendship when one friend owns the other and sends him off for a whipping," says John. The whipping man was the devil himself to John and he never forgave Caleb for that day. "That was the last time we were as close as you remember, Simon."
Simon remains hopeful though. Caleb's father once promised him that he would give him enough money to start a life if he was ever set free. For Simon, that money is the key to his dream of owning his own house (and maybe a chair if there's enough money left over). He tells Caleb that he would still be able to work for the family but for a real wage.
"It's good that you're staying," said Caleb. "It'll be like it was before."
"No, it will not be like before," Simon replies.
The Whipping Man is a gripping tale of the period immediately following the war when America changed dramatically overnight. Simon and John show how different generations handled their newfound freedom, while Caleb is a reminder of how many slave owners would forever be haunted by the actions of their past. The play includes many twists and turns — not real shockers, but highly believable pieces to the puzzle which lead up to a simply breathtaking ending. The Whipping Man is simply an amazing play. It reminds me of the first time I read August Wilson. I can't wait to see more from Matthew Lopez.
The Whipping Man is running now through February 15, 2015 at George Street Playhouse (9 Livingston Avenue) in New Brunswick, NJ. For more information visit www.GSPonline.org
PHOTOS by T. Charles Erickson
About the author:
Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of
Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and
Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station
The Penguin Rocks. His personal website is at
lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at
[email protected].
EVENT PREVIEWS
The Maplewood Strollers to present a Broadway Karaoke Party on June 12th
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Maplewood Strollers present a Broadway Karaoke Party on Friday, June 12, 2026 at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts. The event, which serves as a fundraiser for the theater company, begins at 7:30pm.
Mile Square Theatre presents "An Evening in the Woods: Musical Selections from Into the Woods" on June 13th
(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre will hold its first-ever Education Program Fundraiser, An Evening in the Woods: Musical Selections from Into the Woods in Concert, on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 7:00pm, with a preshow reception beginning at 6:00pm.
The Growing Stage presents round 2 of the 2026 New Play Reading Festival on June 13th
(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage presents round 2 of the 2026 New Play Reading Festival on Friday, June 13, 2026 at 4:00pm. The plays include Snapped, The Wind in the Wildflowers, Timmon and the Magic Shoes, and My Tree.
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents "American Folktales" on Saturday
(MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) presents American Folktales, the next installment in the Theatre's popular Classics for Kids! series, on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 11:00am at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre. The performance is appropriate for all ages.
Players Guild of Leonia presents The Marshall Playwright Showcase from June 12-14
(LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia presents The Marshall Playwrights Showcase from June 12-14, 2026. Named in honor of their long-time PGL member, Helene Marhsall, the showcase includes five original one-acts making for an unforgettable night! Works are by Keith Whalen, Conor Casey, Michael Gage Costa, and Chris Widney.
Studio Players' Reading Series presents "The Laramie Project 10 Years Later" on June 14th
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Studio Players' Reading Series presents a Staged Reading of "The Laramie Project 10 Years Later" on Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 7:00pm. Written by Moises Kaufman and Leigh Fondakowski, this is a powerful and deeply moving epilogue to the groundbreaking original. The reading is directed by Thomas J. Donohoe II.
The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of "Final Day, the Musical" on June 16th
(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of Final Day, the Musical in the Ruth Bauer Neustadter Gallery at Hackensack Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 3:00pm & 7:00pm. Set on the final day of World War II in Germany, Final Day follows prisoners awaiting liberation as they confront a camp commandant under orders to execute them all.
interACT Theatre Productions presents "Psycho Beach Party"
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- interACT Theatre Productions presents Psycho Beach Party by Charles Busch presented as part of OUT IN MAPSO PRIDE 2026 with two performances June 19-20 at The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts.
Magnolia Productions presents "The Vagina Monologues"
(ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Magnolia Productions presents "The Vagina Monologues" across two weekends from June 12-20, 2026 at the Navesink Library. A whirlwind tour of a forbidden zone, Eve Ensler's Obie Award-winning play features personal monologues from women of various ages, races and sexualities.
Wharton Community Players present "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
(BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ) -- The Wharton Community Players invite audiences to step into a world of magic, romance, and mischief with their upcoming production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Wharton Performing Arts School faculty member Lilli Markey. Performances take place across two weekends from June 12-21, 2026.
MORE EVENTS
Click on the listing to bring up its webpage
