Theatre Review: Chicago Sun-Times
Race, sex, morality light the fuse for ' Defiance '
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
let's hand out the medals right at the start...Gold for all involved: For Shanley, for director Jason Loewith, whose casting and pacing of the show could not be more ideal, and for the actors who do a controlled but sizzling burn of the material at hand. Quite simply, this is as good as it gets.

Theatre Review: Pioneer Press
With 2007 in its 11th hour, Next has launched one of the best productions of year.
The military setting is crucial to the story, but " Defiance " isn't a military drama. It's a universal one. Its impact is all the more stunning because of its deeply personal scale...three words: Don't miss it.

Theatre Review: TimeOut
The Chicago premiere of Shanley’s play hits with the force and chaos of a once-ordered world out of control, but also soars with the dexterity of a writer who’s lived the material...Despite inevitable comparison to Shanley’s 2004 Pulitzer pick Doubt, this damn fine work salutes the future defiantly on its own.

Theatre Review: New City
Shanley knows his way around playmaking, and " Defiance " is like a firm handshake and a direct look in the eye...lived-in, layered and endlessly watchable.

Theatre Review: Daily Herald
Defiance ’ leaves no doubt as to its worth
Fluently directed by artistic director Jason Loewith, this blistering show features superb acting from Pickering and Osiris Khepera as career military officers who succumb to self-interest, disillusionment and their unwillingness to accept the responsibility their positions demand.

Theatre Preview: Pioneer Press
Pickering back on familiar turf
"When you look the way I look, you play an awful lot of baddies in your life," Pickering says. "With this guy, it has more to do with what kind of jam you can get yourself in when you're so desperately trying to do the right thing, but at the same time mowing down most of the people around you in order to get the right thing done."