On Monday, November 7, at 7:30 pm, Artists Rep will join 25 theatres in 19 states, along with a growing number of other countries, to present Standing On Ceremony - The Gay Marriage Plays in solidarity for marriage equality.
This is a one-night event to increase public awareness, as well as raise funds for those working toward marriage equity. Leading the November 7 effort is Tectonic Theater Project (The Laramie Project) who will host the kick-off production at the Minetta Lane Theatre, in NYC.
Standing On Ceremony consists of nine, 10-minute plays written by a variety of very well-known playwrights on topics and issues surrounding gay marriage, performed in a staged-reading format by local performers. The playwrights whose short plays are featured in the Standing On Ceremony anthology are Heideman Award winner Jordan Harrison, Edgar Award winner Jeffrey Hatcher, Pulitzer Prize winner and Tony Award nominee Moisés Kaufman, Emmy and WGA Award winner Joe Keenan, Tony Award nominee Neil LaBute, Sundance Jury Prize winner Wendy McLeod, Obie Award winner José Rivera, Obie and Outer Critics Circle Award winner Paul Rudnick, and Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Doug Wright. To produce these plays rights-holders require that a portion of the event's proceeds be donated to a local organization working toward marriage equality and require that a wedding cake be served after each show. Standing On Ceremony is the brainchild of Los Angeles' Brian Shnipper who began producing it in 2009, as a series of benefit events.
Artists Rep's Standing On Ceremony production will be directed by Jon Kretzu and Stephanie Mulligan. Casting is underway, but will consist of roughly eight local performers including Courtenay Hameister, Michael Mendelson, Vana O'Brien and Vin Shambry. Artists Rep has partnered with Basic Rights Oregon, who will be the beneficiary of the evening's proceedings. Wedding cake will be provided after the show by Pastry Girl. Artists Rep is making plans for a full run, with a variety of revolving actors, in the Spring.
Tickets: $50 in advance; $75 at the door
Box Office: 503.241.1278 or www.artistsrep.org.
