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Defiance
By John Patrick Shanley
Directed by Jason Loewith
Produced by Next Theatre
At the Noyes Cultural Center
927 Noyes Street
Evanston, IL
Call 847-475-1875, tickets $23 - $38
Thursdays at 7:30 pm
Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 2 pm
Special Monday performance Nov 19 at 7 pm
Special Saturday matinees at 2 pm on Nov. 24, Dec 1 & 8
Running time is 90 minutes without intermission
Through December 23, 2007
Powerful dramatization of the accountability that come with authority
First, John Patrick Shanley wrote Doubt, about the uncertainty in a person’s faith, and now, Definace is about the responsibility of power in the American hierarchy. This is a moving drama that builds the dramatic tension while weaving a story of the corruption of discipline in the U.S. Marines during the Viet Nam War.
The story is set in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in 1970 as Lt. Colonel Littlefield (Steve Pickering in a pure commanding mode) tries to ease the racial troubles in the Camp from the returning Viet Nam Black Marines. He elicits the help of the new, fundamentalist minister, Chaplin White (Joseph Wycoff) and Captain King (Osiris Khepera), a up-from-the-ranks Black officer. Littlefield wants to make a difference in the moral of his men and make full Colonel to end his career. The Chaplin wants to be heard and the Captain only wants to be anonymous officer.
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The Lt. Colonel travels to Jacksonville, NC to confront racial housing discrimination against Black Marines and ends up having sex with the wife of a Marine private. The Chaplin sends the complaining private to Captain King, the newly appointed second in command, to deal with the private’s request to be transferred to Viet Nam. The Captain must confront the betrayal of authority by his superior officer, Lt. Colonel Littlefield. Shanley cleverly sets up the riveting web of moral issues that are the basis of all military authority. How does trust and credibility anchor the authority of a commander or a President? Does one act of indiscretion destroy a man’s career? What are the consequences of a breach in the basis of that authority?
This marvelously paced, well acted drama gives these dilemmas a dramatic power worthy of their importance. This is a must see stunning new play. It’ll leave you rethinking the trappings of authority. Steve Pickering delivers a strong performance.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2007
Jeff Recommended
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