The Laramie Project

Thursday night we attended an outstanding production of "The Laramie Project" at Palo Alto High School. We went mostly to support this group of students doing this particular play, but we were totally blown away. For two guys who attended over 100 productions last year, this one really ranks as one of the most moving, well-done plays we have seen in a long time. The 25 students in this cast have captured the 60 or so characters they are portraying so well, and they have brought much heart and understanding to this very important play about Matthew Shepard and Laramie, Wyoming.

I highly recommend that you do not miss a chance to see this play performed by students at a local high school or college. The play is a sad reminder that this year is the 10th anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s murder and there is still no hate crime legislation. People are still be attacked, beaten and murdered because of the basis of their sexual orientation.

The director’s program notes asks if the play is still relevant today? She says, “The destructiveness of hate and the redemptive power of hope and forgiveness – are just as timely today as they were when the play opened. There is sadly no noticeable change in the realm of national Hate Crime Statistics…Just last week in Oxnard, CA, a 15 year old boy, Lawrence King, was murdered by a 14 year old peer who reportedly did not like the fact that Lawrence was openly gay.”