Defiance is a play by American playwright John Patrick Shanley. It ran Off-Broadway from February 9, 2006, to June 4, 2006.
Background Defiance is the second of three plays of a planned trilogy. Shanley explained that the trilogy "explores specifics of my life story as it overlaps with major changes in the social fabric of this country." Shanley had military duty at Camp Lejeune from 1970 to 1972.Sommer, Elyse."A CurtainUp Review. 'Defiance'" curtainup.com, March 1, 2006
Shanley said "In short, Doubt turned into Defiance, which is my second play about American hierarchy".Jones, Kenneh. "Shanley's 'Defiance 'Is Part of Trilogy That Includes 'Doubt'; Cast Announced" playbill.com, January 9, 2006
Plot The play concerns a colonel who promotes a black officer solely based on race. The black officer finds out that the colonel has had a brief affair with a private's wife, and he is torn between his desire to go unnoticed and his realization that he must do the right thing.
Productions The play premiered Off-Broadway at the Manhattan Theatre Club's City Center Stage I on February 9 (in previews), 2006. Directed by Doug Hughes, the cast featured Stephen Lang, Chris Chalk, Margaret Colin and Chris Bauer. The play closed on June 4, 2006. It received a Henry Hewes Design Award nomination for Costumes design by Catherine Zuber."Listing" lortel.org, accessed January 3, 2014
The play was produced at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, California, running from January 12, 2007 to February 18. Directed by Andrew J. Robinson, the cast featured Kevin Kilner and Jordan Baker.Hernandez, Ernio. "Shanley's 'Defiance' Makes West Coast Debut at Pasadena Playhouse" playbill.com, January 12, 2007
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