The play takes place during the Civil War and the Butler is Major General Benjamin Butler, an exceptionally colorful person.
The plot concerns a slave who tries to give himself up to the General at Fort Monroe. At this period escaped slaves were supposed to be returned to their masters without exception.
While the General likes to rant and roar, he has a soft heart and tries to find a way to avoid doing this. Over the course of the play the General and the slave have shouting contests which are very funny. Finally a Major from the Confederacy comes to take the slave back to his owner. The General refuses to do this on the basis that the slave is 'contraband'.
David Schramm is over the top as Benjamin Butler, shouting and slamming his fist on the desk as he and the slave argue.
Ben Cole plays Lieutenant Kelly, the General's aide who takes some of the General's ire but in the end helps to save the slave.
Maurice Jones plays Shepard Mallory, the slave, with energy and humor.
John Hickok is Major Cary who comes to collect Mallory to return him to his master.
The writing and the performances are all extraordinary. It was a fine evening in the theater.
