Jackson Free Press

Arthur Golden, a Jewish real-estate developer from Chicago's north side, found his watch missing. He accused Regina Wade, an African American graphic designer from Chicago's south side, of stealing it. Because of the accusation—which she says is false—Wade lost a major business account. She takes him to court in the play "Defamation" where the audience is the jury in a mock civil trial.

"I wanted to find a way to examine preconceived 'isms' we all have within us," said playwright Todd Logan from his Chicago-area home. "This play gets in the mind of the audience, so when they leave, they talk about the play and not who is taking the babysitter home."

Both sides present compelling evidence and call into question both characters' motives, backgrounds and core beliefs. After both sides present and rest their cases, the judge addresses the audience and allows for a 15-minute deliberation.

The production, after playing in the Chicago area for several weeks, heads south to Jackson for the following free shows:

• 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, Arts Center of Mississippi, 201 E. Pascagoula St.; 601-960-1557. The Greater Arts Council of Jackson presents this showing.

• 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, Millsaps College Gertrude C. Ford Academic Complex Recital Hall, 1701 N. State St.; 601-362-6357. Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life, Millsaps Colllege, Jackson 2000, Beth Israel Congregation, Wells United Methodist Church and New Horizon Church International present this showing.

• 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, Old Capitol Inn, 226 N. State St., 601-359-9000. Leadership Jackson Alumni Association sponsors this showing.

The producers will also show the play at Lanier High School and Canton High School. Both school performances are closed to the public.

For information about the production, visit http://www.defamationtheplay.com.