Theatre New West will perform The Laramie Project, a dramatization of a series of interviews with the inhabitants of Laramie, Wyo. about their reactions to one of the most infamous hate crimes in American history.’
The production about the town’s reaction to the brutal torture and death of Matthew Shepard comes hot on the heels of the newly passed Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which was signed into law Oct. 28.
This act expands existing federal hate crime laws to allow the federal prosecution of crimes motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation.
Joseph Watts, the director for Theatre New West, has a history of putting on shows that tangle with social issues and sexual orientation.’
In 2004, Watts ran a series of sold-out performances of Bent, a play about homosexual persecution in Nazi Germany. In 2006, he produced a revival of The Normal Heart, a play about the AIDS crisis in New York City.’
‘I like to do shows about hate crimes, persecution and social issues,’ Watts said.
‘When my friends ask me why I go after projects like that, I tell them I do other things as well. But these issues aren’t going away, and the younger generation needs to be reminded of it.”
True to his ambitious nature, Watts is attempting to up the ante.’
‘This play is focused around theme more than history,’ Watts said.’
The show will include several scenes never previously done, as well as integrating the character of the late Shepard throughout the show.’
Despite having almost no lines, the casting for Shepard has been possibly one of the greatest challenges in the performance. Two weeks before opening night, the role is unfilled.’
While many are willing to take on the tragic role, Watts is seeking someone who looks like Shepard. This poses a unique challenge, since despite being 21 years old, Shepard was only 5 feet 2 inches, and weighed 102 pounds before he died.’
Other than that, the show’s cast is said to be working with a tremendous degree of cohesion.’
‘They’re like a body with eight heads,’ Watts said.
Watts said that he only recruited individuals that he felt had a passion for the subject matter.’
Starting Nov. 19 at 8 p.m., Theatre New West will perform The Laramie Project at the Frenetic Theater. There will be 10 more performances afterward.
From Dec. 4 through Dec. 19, there will be eight performances at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays with a Sunday performance on Dec. 13 at 3 p.m.
With gays marching on Washington, a president who is receptive to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community’s concerns, states passing marriage equality laws and even the military clamoring for reform, this play is indeed more fuel for the fire of equality.’
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