The Whipping Man JET opener wows audience. IC.7 2 1 oa co rrE1 '. - l Me -vim' MEDITERRANEAN GRILLE DINE IN • CARRY-OUT • CATERING oFF lir DAILY zTOMER APPRECIATION LUNCH SPECIAL, CHOOSE Two Starting at SOUP, SALAD OR SANDWICH $6 • 0 • 99 ENTIRE' BILL Excludes alcohol, Lamb Chops, tax and gratuity. Dine-in or carry out Must have coupon. Cannot be combined with another offer. Expires 11/30/11 .11 4189 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD • ORCHARD LAKE TVVP., MICHIGAN 248.865.0000 Scott Norman, Rusty Mewha and Council Cargle in JET's production of The Whipping Man Ronelle Grier Norman is outstanding as the conniv- ing and self-serving former slave, John, who allows the audience to see the pain hen The Whipping Man, that lives beneath what becomes his slick, the opening production of well-dressed (in stolen clothes) exterior. Jewish Ensemble Theatre's Mewha does a wonderful job of 2011-2012 season, came to its dramatic expressing the range of emotions Caleb conclusion, my first reaction was more experiences as the play unfolds while heartfelt than articulate: "Wow" convincingly portraying the excruciat- The play is so rich with meaning, mul- ing pain his character endures through- tilayered symbolism and powerful perfor- out most of the performance. mances that it took a while to formulate In what might be the ultimate theatri- any further thoughts. cal symbolism, Simon realizes The Whipping Man, pro- that it is Passover and decides duced in conjunction with REVIEW to conduct a seder. Using wine the Plowshares Theatre that John stole from a neighbor- Company, Michigan's only professional ing house, collard greens to represent bit- African American theater company, is ter herbs and a piece of leftover soldier's directed by its artistic director, Gary hardtack in place of matzah, the three Anderson. men commemorate the emancipation Written by Matthew Lopez, the play is of the Jews from Egypt as they reflect on set in Richmond, Va., in 1865, in a once- their own newfound freedom from a dif- grand house that has been ravaged dur- ferent kind of slavery. ing the recently ended Civil War. Simon One of the play's strengths is that, (Council Cargle), a newly emancipated like the historical era it depicts, the slave, is trying to survive amidst the des- ending does not present neat solutions olation when Caleb (Rusty Mewha), the to the issues that have been raised. son of his former owner and a captain in Instead, the message is that freedom the Confederate army, stumbles through is a complicated concept and survi- the door with a nasty and dangerously vors bear scars that endure long after neglected bullet wound. The two men enslavement ends. soon are joined by John (Scott Norman), Melinda Pacha's set depicts the war- another former slave who was raised ravaged house with realistic detail, in the same house where Simon served down to the tattered, soot-covered cur- Caleb and his family. tains. Mary Copenhagen's costumes are Together the three men negotiate true to the era and the characters. Light new relationships with one another and and Sound Designer Jon Weaver and with themselves as they explore the Properties Designer Diane Ulseth add meaning of family, friendship, freedom to the overall effect. and faith. Together they try to under- I did not take notes during this stand their collective past and prepare performance as I usually do when to face the future in a country that has reviewing a play. I was too mesmerized been forever changed. by what was taking place on stage, and The actors are exceptional, as individu- I knew that I was not going to forget al characters and as an ensemble. Simon, what I heard and saw anytime soon. the leader of the group, displays physical And if the standing ovation that began strength and wisdom that is far above before the actors had even lined up to his counterparts. Ironically, he is the least take their bows is any indication, I was educated, but his perception and insight not the only one who was "wowed" by go far beyond the written word. this remarkable show. Li Contributing Writer W JET's production of The Whipping Man runs through Oct. 2 at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sundays, with a 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, matinee. $43/discounts for seniors and students. (248) 788-2900; jettheatre.org . BREADSMITH • SAMPLES AVAILABLE, r k'' 1d? A Migkl , , • • r RE cl@rja.-3){jM. VC) be guaranteed your holiday challah! 1805 Haggerty Road Commerce Township, MI 48390 (248) 960 2283 • - www.breacismith.com 1702000 Store Hours: Tuesday - Friday 7:00-6:00, Saturday 7:00-4:00, Sunday 8:00-2:00 it 00 I I off I (w/coupon only) I A Family Diner Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (248) 682-3400 41 TO Orchard Lake Rd. 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