It is April, 1865. The Civil War is over and Caleb DeLeon, a young Jewish Confederate officer, returns to Richmond, Virginia to find his family’s home in ruins. Caleb is greeted by two of his family’s former slaves, Simon and John, who are waiting for his family’s return. As the three men wait for signs of life to return to the city, they wrestle with their shared past, the bitter irony of Jewish slave-owning and the reality of the new world in which they find themselves.

The Whipping Man is part of Flint Youth Theatre’s Emancipation Project. This season long exploration of the topic of emancipation, from the historical event to its immediate aftermath and through to the present day, honors the 150th anniversary of the proclamation. The project also includes the plays, The Heavens Are Hung in Black, Gee’s Bend and Gem of the Ocean. Emancipation Packages for all four plays are available for $45 by calling 810-237-1530.