Farmers Alley Theatre
Farmers Alley Theatre
Meet Ben Reigel - Q & AStar of THE WHIPPING MAN
Farmers Alley Theatre's latest theatrical production, THE WHIPPING MAN opens next Friday, February the 8th and runs through February 24th.  This powerful civil war drama is very timely and the perfect companion piece to the Academy Award nominated film  "LINCOLN"

 

Starring in the lead role of Caleb is BEN REIGEL, Assistant Professor of Theatre at Western Michigan.  Originally from Wisconsin, Ben relocated to Kalamazoo with his wife and two children.  This will be his debut on the Farmers Alley stage.

 

We recently were able to ask Ben a few questions about THE WHIPPING MAN and his answers were very interesting.

 

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Tell us about your character, Caleb DeLeon.

 

Caleb is a young Jewish Confederate officer from a wealthy urban family in Richmond, Virginia. When he appears in the play, it is after four years of horrific fighting that has shaken him from his Jewish faith.

 

What drew you to this play?

 

The play is fascinating in that it takes a somewhat familiar situation- the return home after a long war- and adds completely original complications. The question of Judaism in the slave owning pre-Civil War south- and how Jewish slave owners could celebrate their own ancestor's liberation, while simultaneously owning slaves- is something I never considered before reading this play. 

 

What's it been like working with Director D. Terry Williams?

 

Working with Terry is a treat. Terry manages to keep us on task, while still keeping the mood playful and fun. 

 

Is it difficult being onstage for virtually the entire show?  What other challenges do you face as an actor during the show?

 

Being on stage isn't difficult in itself. The show is not overly long- so stamina isn't a problem. What is nice about not leaving the stage, is that there is no leaving the world of the play for me. I am in the room for the whole play along with the audience, and that is a wonderful way to keep focused. The challenge is **spoiler alert** that I spend almost the whole show physically impaired and in one position- and because of that my physical choices are very limited. 

 

Why should Kalamazoo audiences come see THE WHIPPING MAN?

 

This is a show that gains depth every time I experience it. It is harsh, intense, it asks hard questions, and resists from offering simple answers. It's the kind of show that- if we do our jobs well- will stick with you, and keep you thinking.

 

 

 

Rico Bruce Wade, Ben Reigel, and Scott V. Norman in THE WHIPPING MAN

 

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THE WHIPPING MAN runs February 8th-24th.  Tickets can be purchased by calling the Farmers Alley Theatre Box Office at 269-343-2727 or by visiting www.farmersalleytheatre.com

 

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Benjamin Reigel is thrilled to be making his Farmers Alley debut in The Whipping Man. Ben relocated to MI last fall when he joined the Theatre Faculty at Western Michigan University. As a professional actor, he has performed at The Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, American Players Theatre, First Stage Children's Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Mill Mountain Theatre, Repertory Theatre at Sea, as well as the Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Texas, and Maine Shakespeare Festivals. Some favorite roles include: Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet, Lobby in The Visit, Arles in Greater Tuna, Calibanin The Tempest, and the title role in Richard III. Ben also spent several years playing first Mikey, and then Nick in the Chicago and Las Vegas productions of Shear Madness.

 

Originally from Wisconsin, Ben earned his B.A. from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and his M.F.A. from the University of Delaware's Professional Theatre Training Program. Ben is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association.

Ben lives in Kalamazoo with his wife Georgie, and their kids Caroline and Charlie.

 

 

Farmers Alley Theatre
Farmers Alley Theatre
221 Farmers Alley
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
269-343-2727
Farmers Alley Theatre