DEFAMATION Tours Chicago, Jackson 9/14-11/6

Canamac Productions will present a riveting new courtroom drama "Defamation," which explores the timely issues of race, class and religion, in a play in which Regina Wade, an African American businesswoman from Chicago's south side sues Arthur Golden, a Jewish real estate developer from Winnetka, for defamation. In a unique twist, the audience plays the jury that decides the outcome of the trial.

This fall, "Defamation" kicks off a tour of the greater Chicagoland and Jackson, Miss. areas that includes high schools, colleges, community centers, libraries and places of worship, from Sept. 14 to Nov. 6. "I find it fitting that the issues of racism, classism and religious intolerance will be presented in environments where engagement with social justice is welcomed," said playwright and Evanston resident Todd Logan. Each presentation of "Defamation" also includes a lively post-show panel discussion with the playwright and cast members to explore the sensitive topics presented in the play.

In "Defamation," the audience jury must decide whether Golden's accusation that Wade stole his watch is false, and if so, that this false statement led to Wade losing a major business account that damaged her financially. Evidence presented from both sides is compelling and calls into question both Wade's and Golden's motives, backgrounds and core beliefs.

"In a speech in February 2009, Attorney General Eric Holder made the 'controversial' comment that in spite of Obama's election there continues to be a serious racial divide in America. I believe Holder is right," said Logan. "For several years I've been trying to write a play that deals with the question 'what does it really say about ourselves about where we go to bed at night?' I finally found a dramatic way into the subject through a story about a professional African American woman, a successful Jewish businessman and a watch."

"Defamation" is written by Todd Logan and directed by Richard Shavzin who also stars as defendant Arthur Golden. Additional casting is as follows: plaintiff Regina Wade is played by Stacie Doublin; plaintiff attorney Mr. Lawton is played by Brian Rooney; defense attorney Ms. Allen is played by Dorcas Sowunmi; Judge Adrian Barnes is played by Malcolm Rothman; and key witness Lorraine Jordan - who plays an African American lawyer whose largest client is Arthur Golden's company, and whose law firm previously employed Regina Wade as its graphic designer until Golden accused her of stealing his watch - is played by Kimm Beavers.

Logan and the cast are excited that Jackson, Mississippi is part of this tour given Jackson's significant role in this nation's civil rights movement. Performances in Jackson take place at Lanier High School, an all-black high school, and Canton High School, the high school in the town where "Mississippi Burning" was filmed. The show will also play at Millsaps College, the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Jackson Arts Council.

"Defamation" will be presented at the following venues during its fall tour:

Evanston YWCA Sept. 14 Evanston

Glenbrook North High School Sept. 16 Northbrook

Emanuel Congregation Sept. 17 Chicago (Edgewater)

Amundsen High School Sept. 20 Chicago (Lincoln Square)

Roosevelt University Sept. 21 Chicago (Loop)

Evanston Township High School Sept. 22 Evanston

Wilmette Public Library Sept. 24 Wilmette

Clark University (at Stage 773) Sept. 25 Chicago (Lakeview)

John Marshall Law School Sept. 29 Chicago (Loop)

Phoenix Military Academy Sept. 30 Chicago (United Center Pk)

Evanston Public Library Oct. 2 Evanston

Holy Trinity High School Oct. 6 Chicago (West Town)

Unitarian Church of Evanston Oct. 8 Evanston

Highland Park Library Oct. 12 Highland Park

DePaul University Oct. 13 Chicago (Lincoln Park)

Niles North High School Oct. 14 Skokie

Niles West High School Oct. 14 Skokie

Von Steuben High School Oct. 17 Chicago (North Park)

Hubbard High School Oct. 18 Chicago (West Lawn)

Francis W. Parker School Oct. 19 Chicago (Lincoln Park)

Urban Prep - Englewood Campus Oct. 20 Chicago (Englewood)

Temple Jeremiah Oct. 23 Northfield

Chicago Waldorf School Oct. 24 Chicago (Rogers Park)

Social Justice High School Oct. 27 Chicago (Little Village)

Congregation Sukkat Shalom Oct. 29 Wilmette

Decalogue Society of Lawyers Oct. 30 Chicago (Loop)

Greater Jackson Arts Council Nov. 1 Jackson, Miss.

Lanier High School Nov. 2 Jackson, Miss.

Millsaps College Nov. 2 Jackson, Miss.

Canton High School Nov. 3 Canton, Miss.

Jackson Mississippi Chamber of Commerce Nov. 3 Jackson, Miss.

North Shore Congregation Israel Nov. 6 Glencoe, Ill.

Todd Logan is a playwright, filmmaker, and humorist. His plays, "Botanic Garden" directed by Olympia Dukakis, "Tops or Bottoms," "Persistence of Vision," "Fallout," and "The Playwright and All That Crap" have appeared in Chicago over the last several years. He also wrote the independent film, "With a Family Like Mine..." His humor pieces have appeared in many publications, including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The San Francisco Chronicle, and Writer's Digest. Logan was also the founder of Sportscape, Inc. a Boston publishing and trade show company.

For more information on "Defamation," please visit defamationtheplay.com.