The University News

Issue date: 10/12/09 Section: Culture

Media Credit: courtesy Google Images The KC Rep presents Laramie Oct. 12

Some events have the potential to change the mindset of the world.

The 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, an openly homosexual man, in Laramie, Wyo. is one of those situations.

Today, Oct. 12, the Kansas City Repertory Theatre is recognizing the 11th anniversary of his death with a reading of "Laramie Project: 10 Years Later, an Epilogue," a follow-up to the acclaimed play and HBO film "The Laramie Project," which documented the reaction of citizens of Laramie after the murder.

Kyle Hatley, assistant artistic director at the Rep who is directing the reading of "Laramie," said this play had a vital impact on the way the world thinks about hate crimes and change.

"The play they created led to a national dialogue," Hatley said. "No play had done that at that time."

Written by Tectonic Theater Project members Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris and Stephen Belber, Hatley said this play was developed out of happenstance.

When the team went to the town of Laramie to follow up on the story, they weren't really planning on writing a play.

"There are moments in history that act as a lightening rod," Hatley said, "and this was one of them."

Hatley said the most important aspect of this play is the fact that it confronts change directly.

"I hope it initiates conversation," he said. "So we don't ignore it. It needs to be discussed and understood."

The Rep company hopes the reading will go beyond simply being entertaining and have an impact on hate crime legislation and the way the world deals with hate crimes.

"I think it has to," Hatley said. "This play holds the power to change the way we see the world."

The reading is an international event, with the play being presented at more than 150 theatres in all 50 states and eight other countries.

The Kansas City audience will be part of a pre- and post-show simulcast message and discussion broadcast live to all participating theaters. The simulcast, coming from Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall in New York City, will be hosted by Glenn Close and will feature Kaufman and Judy Shepard, Matthew Shepard's mother.

Participants will be able to tweet questions during the local performance and some of those questions will be answered during the post-show simulcast.

Admission to the performance is free.

However, a $15 donation is requested and reservations should be made by calling the Rep Box Office at 816-235-2700.

All proceeds from "The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later" will go to the Kansas City Anti-Violence Project and UMKC's Queer Alliance.

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alang@unews.com

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