The Whipping Man Is a Must-See

by Matthew R. Kerns
photos by Bethany Horning

Roe Lloyd as Simon

Iowa City — It begins with a trip down a drafty church stairwell into the catacombs of this Unitarian place of worship in the heart of Iowa City. Folding chairs, globe lighting, posters, and congregants' name tags line the walls of this now-meeting place for artistic worship. At the far end of the basement is an antiquated auditorium stage that in my imagination has been host to countless holiday pageants, lectures, and community theatres like just like the Dreamwell Theatre Company.

At the beginning of the event Rachel Lindhart, Co-Artistic Director of Dreamwell and Director of this evening's show, offers a curtain speech explaining that the company is spending the entire year examining guilt. She finishes her speech and proceeds to lower the globe lights on the wall behind her. Music arises and we begin Dreamwell’s simplistic but stunning version of The Whipping Man.

The Whipping Man Opens January 10

Iowa City - Dreamwell Theatre presents The Whipping Man by Matthew Lopez, directed by Rachael Lindhart. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m., January 10-11 and 17-18 at the Unitarian Universalist Center, 10 s. Gilbert St., Iowa City. There will be a special performance at 7:30 on January 25 at the First Street Community Center, 221 First St., Mt. Vernon

Dreamwell Seeks Actor for The Whipping Man

Iowa City - "Dreamwell is holding auditions for the role of Caleb in The Whipping Man by Matthew Lopez at 2:30pm Saturday Nov. 23 at the Iowa City Public Library. The show will be directed by Rachael Lindhart and performances are scheduled for January 10, 11, 17, and 18 at the Unitarian Universalist Society 10 S. Gilbert Street and in the Mt Vernon Community Center on Sat., January 25.