If you’ve not enjoyed a production by the Bridgeport Theatre Company you haven’t lived. Check out the Laramie Project:
Bridgeport Theatre Company continues its second season with the critically acclaimed and powerful social drama, The Laramie Project, which runs February 3-12 over 6 performances. All performances will take place at Downtown Cabaret Theatre, 263 Golden Hill Street, Downtown Bridgeport. BTC operates “in residence” at DCT, and each company operates independently of the other, whilst sharing the same space.
On October 7, 1998, a young gay man named Matthew Shepard was kidnapped, severely beaten, and left to die tied to a fence on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming. The Laramie Project deals with the local reaction to this murder, which was denounced as a hate crime motivated by homophobia. Company members of New York’s Tectonic Theatre Project spent a year interviewing the town’s citizens. Out of those candid interviews comes this play; an honest, riveting, deeply moving theatrical event.
The Laramie Project inspired the 2002 HBO film of the same name, featuring a stable of Hollywood celebrities portraying the residents in the play. Additionally, ten years after Matthew’s murder, members of the Tectonic Theater Project returned to Laramie to conduct follow-up interviews with those featured in the play. These interviews became a companion piece entitled, The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later, debuting on the 11th anniversary of Matthew’s death. Bridgeport Theatre Company will be presenting a staged reading of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later after the final performance of The Laramie Project on February 12.
The Laramie Project is presented with direction by Eli Newsom, BTC’s Artistic Director. Chad Kinsman serves as Assistant Director/Dramaturg with Maggie Pangrazio and Melinda Zupaniotis as Co-Producers. The cast of over 20 actors from in and around Fairfield county includes: Joan Barere, Steve Benko, Gary Blomberg, Drew Camputaro, Jason Coombs, Katy Curtis, Roger Dykeman, Kim Furano, Molly Gaumer, Jessie Gilbert, Linda Gilmore, Emma LaPlace, Kaite Laurie, Gabriel Morrow, Joanne Pelkey, Catherine Pelkey, Jeff Porper, Kitty Robertson, Johnny Shea, Reverend Sara Smith, Dan Travers and Peter Wood.
The Laramie Project will run for 6 performances ONLY: Fri/Sat, Feb 3, 4, 10 & 11 at 8pm, Sun, Feb 5 at 5pm, and Sun, Feb 12 at 4pm. BTC will also present a special staged reading of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later on Sun, Feb 12 at 7pm. Tickets are $23 for Adults and $18 for Student/Seniors (ID required) and are available ONLY at www.BridgeportTheatre.org or by calling 800.838.3006. BTC offers a concessions stand that includes snacks and a cash bar with beer, wine and soft drinks. Due to the serious nature of the play, eating during the performance is discouraged.
Bridgeport Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and was founded in May 2010 by a group of Connecticut-based performing artists. For additional information about Bridgeport Theatre Company and directions to the theatre, visit www.BridgeportTheatre.org.
