"Whipping Man" highlights season for Sarasota's WBTT

  One of the most effective plays of recent years is "The Whipping Man" by University of South Florida graduate Matthew Lopez. The harrowing and unusual look at Civil War-era slavery is one of the highlights of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's recently announced 2013-14 season.

   The season is titled "Rhythms of Change," and it's designed to take audiences on a journey through American culture from 1865 to 1965.
   Lopez's 2011 drama has been widely produced all over the country in its short life, including a memorable production by Tampa's erstwhile Gorilla Theater last year.
    "The Whipping Man" is the second show of the season, opening Jan. 2 and running one month. It's the only non-musical of the season. The season opener is "Purlie," the Jim Crow-era musical co-written by Ossie Davis, Philip Rose and Peter Udell, with music by Gary Geld. It runs Nov. 13-Dec. 15.

Lena Horne

   Next up is "Harry and Lena," Feb. 19-March 23. It's a tribute to Harry Belafonte and Lena Horne.
   "Bubbling Brown Sugar" closes out the season, April 9-May 11. It's a revue that celebrates the music set in the Harlem Renaissance, including exuberant tunes by Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway and Fats Waller.
Details: 1646 10th Way, Sarasota. Tickets: $80 for season tickets; tickets for individual shows on sale Sept. 1. Information: 941-366-1505, www.wbttsrq.org.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2013/03/10/4426754/wbtt-annnouces-2013-14-season.html