By Jason and Alisha Hagey
24 years later, to the day, Wasatch Theatre Company (WTC) brings The Laramie Project to the forefront. In the beautiful Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center in Taylorsville, Utah, WTC is performing the Laramie Cycle (The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later) within a week of one another.
In 1998, a 21-year-old student at the University of Wyoming, Matthew Shepard, was kidnapped, tied to a fence post, beaten and tortured, robbed, and left to die in the middle of a prairie. Taking an unusual path, a runner found the young man barely alive eighteen hours later. After five days of life support in two hospitals, Matthew succumbed to his wounds and died.
Matthew was gay.
This brutal crime brought worldwide focus to the little town of Laramie, Wyoming, and turned our attention to sexual discrimination, hate crimes, and violence. Amongst those attracted to the scene was a theatre company, Tectonic Theater Project, under the direction of founder Moisés Kaufman. They came to interview more than 200 individuals over a year and a half, collecting thoughts and insights from those involved in the case and others in the small, rural community. The goal was to understand the many nuances and angles around a tragedy. The interviews, mixed with research, became the basis of the play.
The production is sparse (all the better for it, so you can focus on the text rather than set changes). It is a true ensemble piece, as each actor embodies multiple community members. Behind each scene are what the Tectonic Theater Project call, Moments. Each moment is a small vignette from interviews, journals, and other found texts – creating a uniquely intimate experience.
The ensemble comprises various actors: Ash, Jack Bellows, Becky Davis, Abhi Harikumar, John Joslin, Brien Keith, Dalia Lechuga, Sonia Maritza Inoa-Rosado Maughan, Em Smiley, Warren Tharp, and Sam Torres. Together they work hard to embody these individual moments to bring various viewpoints to life. Everyone is earnest. To watch this production is to see an arts community coming together to grapple with these heavy topics while trying to find some semblance of understanding of the brutality that people face. At times, the pantomime can distract from lines spoken by other actors, but the whole cast truly seeks to come together; no one is more important, and all roles are vital. A highlight of the evening is the sentencing of Aaron McKinney. It is a touching scene and beautifully handled. Another standout is the actress who embodies the drama teacher. She creates unique mannerisms that feel authentic.
Lucas Bybee (Original Photography) went to Wyoming to shoot reference photographs projected behind the actors. They give us a real sense of space and location. Bybee’s work helps bridge the gap between what could be internalized as a work of fiction and what is distant from each of us to be reminiscent of our home here and now.
Jim Martin (Director) has the daunting task of leading the cast and crew to find the humanity behind each character. It is hard not to be biased in portrayals and choices, but WTC works hard not to pass judgment. Ben Brinton (Sound Designer) also has the difficult path of creating tension and a sense of reality in all the Moments. Likely because it was the first night, but occasionally the music would be louder than the dialogue. Things happen, which is what makes live theatre so powerful. Never did the actors drop character. Never did they pull focus. WTC comes together as a whole to present this challenging work for us.
If you can, make the time for this production. Especially make time to see both shows. We are the people in Laramie, and it is important to find ourselves searching for hope, seeking understanding, and finding shared humanity. If we all come together, we believe that love will win. Wasatch Theatre Company reminds us, lest we forget, that this fight isn’t over. We all need to love and love our neighbors, regardless of differences. We cannot allow this to happen again.
Masks are recommended but not required.
This show contains language and might not be suitable for a younger audience
Wasatch Theatre Company Presents The Laramie Project by: Moises Kaufman and Tectonic Theater Project
Midvalley Performing Arts Center; Studio 54
2525 Taylorsville Blvd
Taylorsville, Utah 84129
The Laramie Project
October 6 – October 9, 2022 at 8 pm.
October 9, 2022 at 2 pm.
The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later
October 13 – 15, 2022 at 8 pm
October 15 at 2 pm
Tickets are $25.00 each or $30.00 for both shows.
Tickets are available at arttix.org
Wasatchtheatre.org
Theboxgateway.org
Facebook Page
jimm.wtc@gmail.com
435-618-0579
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