Ben Butler at Unity Theatre

Major General Benjamin Butler had been a defense attorney in Boston - until the Civil War began. Now he is in command of Fort Monroe, in southern Virginia, and the law of the United States says that the escaped slave who has demanded to see him must be returned to his owner. But this extremely singular individual - one Shepard Mallory - makes quite a powerful case for himself.

Richard Strand's splendid play, a battle of wits for the soul of a nation, defies simple characterization - part comedy, part historical drama, part biography, and often all at the same time! This is a Midwest premiere directed by Michael Cotey and featuring Drew Brhel, Rasell Holt, David Sapiro, Chase Stoeger.