FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2/10/2012
PRESS CONTACT: Sandra Lynne Locher, Gorilla Theatre (813) 765-1486 info@gorillatheatre.com
PUBLIC CONTACT: Reservations (813) 879-2914 or www.gorillatheatre.com
Directed by James Rayfield (Sweet Storm, Christmas Stopping), The Whipping Man stars the accomplished actors Kim Sullivan (Seven Guitars), Andrew Valins (Report to an Academy) and Zo Vallejo-Bryant (Case 432: Sarah Mayes).
Performances will be at the historic Springs Theatre in Tampa.
ABOUT THE PLAY
In The Whipping Man, playwright Matthew Lopez reveals a little-known part of African-American and Jewish history, as well as the history of the American South. Its themes of redemption, forgiveness, the lasting scars of slavery and the responsibility that comes with freedom resonate even today.
It is Passover, 1865. Confederate officer Caleb DeLeon returns to Richmond from the war to find his family home in ruins, his family gone and two freed former slaves who have stayed. Simon and John care for Caleb, who is badly wounded. As the three men wait for the family's return, they wrestle with the bonds of their faith and their shared past as master and slave. Long-buried family secrets are dug up along the way and new secrets are exposed. Slavery and war, they discover, warp even good men's souls.
"Matthew Lopez's affecting, suspenseful and at times searing play strips the skin off such lofty ideas as freedom and honor to peer at the raw nerves underneath, and lay bare the cost paid for such lofty notions" — James Hebert, U-T San Diego
"Emotionally potent ...surreal in the layers of meaning…a quiet force." — New York Times
"...compelling Civil War-era drama, filled with fine characterization and unexpected moments of humor." — Dan Bacalzo, Theatermania
"The audacious work marks the debut of a fresh talent." — Associated Press
THE PLAYWRIGHT
Matthew Lopez is a graduate of the University of South Florida's performing arts program, then under the leadership of the Gorilla Theatre's Artistic Associate, Nancy Cole.
Matthew's play The Whipping Man has recently been one of the more frequently-produced new American plays. Most recently, it was seen in New York in an acclaimed, sold-out run at Manhattan Theatre Club in a production directed by Doug Hughes and starring Andre Braugher.
For the Whipping Man, Matthew was awarded the 2011 John Gassner Playwriting Award (New York Outer Critics Circle); Best Drama of 2010 (Minneapolis City Pages); and was nominated for Best New Drama (Off Broadway, Alliance Awards).
Matthew holds new play commissions from Roundabout Theatre Company and The Old Globe, where he is also Artist-in-Residence. He is currently adapting a musical version of the film Mad Hot Ballroom, to be directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell.
THE VENUE
This production will take place at the historic Springs Theatre. Known primarily as a recording studio, it has hosted artists ranging from the Florida Orchestra and the Master Chorale to Jennifer Lopez and Robert Smith of the Cure, to aspiring local bands. The Springs offers a sophisticated intimacy similar to that of the old Gorilla Theatre. The Gorilla will offer valet parking during the first weekend of the run of the play to encourage the public to try out the new venue.
DATES AND TIMES
March 15-April 1
for twelve performances:
Thursdays at 7pm
Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 8pm, and
Sundays at 3pm
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE OPENING WEEKEND MARCH 15, 16, 17, 18!
Please arrive a minimum of fifteen minutes prior to the show for valet parking.
WHERE
The Springs Theatre, 8029 Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, FL 33604
TICKET PRICES
On Thursdays:
Full Price $20 / Students and Seniors $15 / Student Rush $10, 30 minutes before the show whenever we are not sold out.
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays:
Full Price $25 / Students and Seniors $20 / Student Rush $10, 30 minutes before the show whenever we are not sold out.
RESERVATIONS
(813) 879-2914
www.gorillatheatre.com
Gorilla Theatre, PO Box 152225, Tampa, FL 33684-2225
PRESS CONTACT: Sandra Lynne Locher, Gorilla Theatre (813) 765-1486 info@gorillatheatre.com
PUBLIC CONTACT: Reservations (813) 879-2914 or www.gorillatheatre.com
The Whipping Man by Matthew Lopez
March 15-April 1, 2012
The Gorilla Theatre will present the regional premiere of the gripping
off-Broadway hit The Whipping Man March 15-April 1.March 15-April 1, 2012
Directed by James Rayfield (Sweet Storm, Christmas Stopping), The Whipping Man stars the accomplished actors Kim Sullivan (Seven Guitars), Andrew Valins (Report to an Academy) and Zo Vallejo-Bryant (Case 432: Sarah Mayes).
Performances will be at the historic Springs Theatre in Tampa.
ABOUT THE PLAY
In The Whipping Man, playwright Matthew Lopez reveals a little-known part of African-American and Jewish history, as well as the history of the American South. Its themes of redemption, forgiveness, the lasting scars of slavery and the responsibility that comes with freedom resonate even today.
It is Passover, 1865. Confederate officer Caleb DeLeon returns to Richmond from the war to find his family home in ruins, his family gone and two freed former slaves who have stayed. Simon and John care for Caleb, who is badly wounded. As the three men wait for the family's return, they wrestle with the bonds of their faith and their shared past as master and slave. Long-buried family secrets are dug up along the way and new secrets are exposed. Slavery and war, they discover, warp even good men's souls.
"Matthew Lopez's affecting, suspenseful and at times searing play strips the skin off such lofty ideas as freedom and honor to peer at the raw nerves underneath, and lay bare the cost paid for such lofty notions" — James Hebert, U-T San Diego
"Emotionally potent ...surreal in the layers of meaning…a quiet force." — New York Times
"...compelling Civil War-era drama, filled with fine characterization and unexpected moments of humor." — Dan Bacalzo, Theatermania
"The audacious work marks the debut of a fresh talent." — Associated Press
THE PLAYWRIGHT
Matthew Lopez is a graduate of the University of South Florida's performing arts program, then under the leadership of the Gorilla Theatre's Artistic Associate, Nancy Cole.
Matthew's play The Whipping Man has recently been one of the more frequently-produced new American plays. Most recently, it was seen in New York in an acclaimed, sold-out run at Manhattan Theatre Club in a production directed by Doug Hughes and starring Andre Braugher.
For the Whipping Man, Matthew was awarded the 2011 John Gassner Playwriting Award (New York Outer Critics Circle); Best Drama of 2010 (Minneapolis City Pages); and was nominated for Best New Drama (Off Broadway, Alliance Awards).
Matthew holds new play commissions from Roundabout Theatre Company and The Old Globe, where he is also Artist-in-Residence. He is currently adapting a musical version of the film Mad Hot Ballroom, to be directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell.
THE VENUE
This production will take place at the historic Springs Theatre. Known primarily as a recording studio, it has hosted artists ranging from the Florida Orchestra and the Master Chorale to Jennifer Lopez and Robert Smith of the Cure, to aspiring local bands. The Springs offers a sophisticated intimacy similar to that of the old Gorilla Theatre. The Gorilla will offer valet parking during the first weekend of the run of the play to encourage the public to try out the new venue.
DATES AND TIMES
March 15-April 1
for twelve performances:
Thursdays at 7pm
Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 8pm, and
Sundays at 3pm
VALET PARKING AVAILABLE OPENING WEEKEND MARCH 15, 16, 17, 18!
Please arrive a minimum of fifteen minutes prior to the show for valet parking.
WHERE
The Springs Theatre, 8029 Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, FL 33604
TICKET PRICES
On Thursdays:
Full Price $20 / Students and Seniors $15 / Student Rush $10, 30 minutes before the show whenever we are not sold out.
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays:
Full Price $25 / Students and Seniors $20 / Student Rush $10, 30 minutes before the show whenever we are not sold out.
RESERVATIONS
(813) 879-2914
www.gorillatheatre.com
Gorilla Theatre, PO Box 152225, Tampa, FL 33684-2225
