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| L - R Carl J. Johnson, Ed F. Martin, Paul Haitkin - Photo by Win Win Imaging |
By Joe Straw
“Wyoming, where men are men and sheep are nervous.” - Author
unknown.
My first wife was from Wyoming, and the times I’ve been to
Wyoming I’ve heard this expression from her and numerous friends living out
there. Everyone says it. The phrase may be open to interpretation of your choice. This – just in case
you didn’t think the residents of Wyoming had a sense of humor.
The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner
Cultural Arts Center proudly present The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later written by Moisés Kaufman,
Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris, and Stephen Belber at the
beautiful Davidson/Valentini Theatre in Hollywood and is playing through
November 16, 2013.
Jon Imparato, the Artistic Director and Producer, was
gracious to show us around this beautiful complex, with art here, paintings there,
and, in general a consortium of services for those who need help. The entire complex projects some really good
vibes and the entire staff welcomes everyone with open arms.
The stage of the Davidson/Valentini sits in the southwest
corner of the complex behind two steel gray doors. And, as you enter the theatre doors, it’s
like walking into the state of Wyoming.
The actors, already dressed in character, are sitting around the square
box stage in chairs with cushions and a couple of theatre pews for good
measure. The chairs surround three sides
most of which are for the audience members to sit.
One gets a down-home feel from the actors when you enter, a
polite hello, a smile, and a warm greeting. In this nice cool room – it is Laramie – the
actors in their setting, inhabit their space, keep to their ways, and it feels
like Wyoming, a quiet place where kids run free and everyone goes about their
own business but…
The Laramie Project:
Ten Years Later is a disturbing look at how the passage of time
diminishes an event of American history into a watered-down revisionist
commentary to suit political ideology about the town and the people, unless
there is a reminder, something, or someone to tell the story, and the Laramie
Project: Ten Years Later does just that. On top of that, the actors give the
performances the dignity that this play deserves and they soar from one tragic
moment to the next.
The Laramie Project:
Ten Years Later is a captivating play that truly gives you the feel of
the time, place, and people that is Laramie, Wyoming. The fine details of this outstanding production
are second to none and the acting and direction leave you breathless.
The lovely voice of singer-songwriter Johanna Chase starts us off with a very pleasant song, “Morning
Comes” by Delta Rae, that brings tears and immediately transports me back to
Laramie. It is a fireside song in which
the whole cast joins in and it is a great way to start the play.
And our play starts with the Tectonic Theatre members going
back to Laramie on September 12, 2008 to interview those they had spoken with
the first time around from which they constructed “The Laramie Project” and to
see how things have changed in Laramie since.
“I am thinking about the anniversary a lot. Ten years have passed … that’s a long time.”
Beth Loffreda – Professor, University of Wyoming
Beth Loffreda (Ann Noble) suggests things are pretty much
the same and not much has changed, and looking out of her window she can see
the spot, in the prairie, past Wal-Mart, where Matthew Sheppard was beaten and
left to die.
“It was painful for a lot of years.
And I think that the pain actually became so great that people didn’t want
to think about it or hear about it anymore.” – Rebecca Hilliker – Theatre
Professor, University of Wyoming
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| L - R Ann Noble, Elizabeth Herron, Paul Haitkin, Christine Sloane - Photo by Win Win Imaging |
Traveling from Cheyenne to Laramie, one notices how Laramie
is just a speck on the prairie and Moisés Kaufman (Ed F. Martin) notes how much
Laramie has changed since October 1998 as he’s barreling down from Highway 80.
Matt Milkelson (Paul Haitkin) says Dick Cheney sold the
state to Hallibuton and no one minds, and Jedadia Schultz (Paul Witten) says they
have a Chili’s. People seem to think a
lot has change. But really, from the outset, little has changed.
Stephen Belber (Carl J. Johnson) finds his way into town and
stops off at a rental car place and finds an agent (Paul Haitkin) with a
different opinion about what went on that night.
“Now if you ask me, I think it was a robbery and that his lifestyle was
just an excuse.” – Rental Car Agent
“I’m not sure I understand. Are
you saying it wasn’t a hate crime?” – Stephen Belber
This is the first indication that the dialogue of the town has
changed. Meanwhile the members of Tectonic Theatre arrive not knowing what to
expect on the tenth anniversary of Matthew Sheppard’s death. They
find that little or nothing is being done to mark the anniversary. Even Deb Thomsen (Ann Noble) of
the Laramie Boomerang grows weary of the topic and says the town is “…moving on
from this.”
A sad reminder is evident when only 50 people attend the bench
dedication at the University of Wyoming, tucked away, outside the arts and
science department with Dennis Sheppard (Ed F. Martin) giving a short speech.
“Can I asked you: did you happen to attend the bench dedication for
Matthew Shepard” – Leigh Fondakowski – Member of Tectonic Theatre Project
“Excuse me.” – Boy
“For who?” – Girl
People don’t remember a national story and it doesn’t take
long for the story to change to suit a different purpose.
“One thing I heard was that he was a drug dealer and did some bad deals
and those guys ended up coming after him…. And then the media came in and said
it was ‘ cause he was gay for their own ends.
They took this as a vehicle.” – Student
The ghost of the 20/20 interview comes back to haunt them in
which producer Glenn Silber (Paul Haitkin) had an agenda to show the Matthew
Sheppard’s slaying was a robbery gone wrong and not a hate crime. It’s too bad
he left incriminating evidence with his interviewee.
“Although Dave is a highly skilled investigator and was the key to
solving the crime quickly, he fell into the hate crimes motivation early and
our piece will ultimately discredit that flawed theory.” Glenn Silber –
Producer 20/20
It’s not enough to re-interview everyone about what happened
that night. Rob Debree (Paul Mitten), Lead Investigator for the Albany County
Sheriffs Department, and Dave O’Malley (Ed F. Martin), retired Laramie Police
Department, hammer home the point of what went on that night. (It’s good to go
right to the source.)
Another source is from the prisoners themselves and the
Tectonic Members take the initiative to secure those interviews.
I’ll send Aaron a letter today asking if would be willing to meet with
me.” – Greg Pierotti – Member of Tectonic Theatre Project
Both Russell Henderson (Michael Hanson) and Aaron McKinney
(Dylan Seaton) agree to meet with Stephen Belber and Greg Pierotti respectively
and these are moments that you do not want to miss.
“Our view. Laramie is a community,
not a ‘project.’” - Boomerang Editor
The actors had multiple roles with the exception of Michael
Hanson and Dylan Seaton who alternate playing Aaron McKinney and Russell
Henderson for various performances. All the characters are critical to moving the
play along.
Paul Haitkin was
exceptional in his roles but had the dubious honor of playing Rental Car Agent
– someone you really don’t want to listen to when wanting the cold hard facts. Still,
Haitkin was terrific.
Michael Hanson
played Russell Henderson and was exceptional. There was a collective calm, and composure in
his character wanting to get the information to the Tectonic Member to help
anyone who might want do to the same thing he did. Though
Henderson is sincere, there is a sinister side to his character, something he’s
not saying, and something he wants, unsaid, and that is why Hanson’s work is
terrific.
Elizabeth Herron
keeps it very real with Marge Murray, Catherine Connolly and Judy Shepard. She is very down home and reminds me of the
people I know from Wyoming.
Carl J. Johnson is
a very spirited actor. His characters
were very specific and I particularly liked the Stephen Belber character as he
grills Russell Henderson. And I thought I caught a glimpse of the coughing Marlboro Man from one of the characters. All in all,
there’s some very good work done here.
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| Che Landon - Photo by Win Win Imaging |
Che Landon did a
fine job as Jim Osborne, Nikki Elder, Romaine Patterson, and Susan Swap among a
few other characters. Each character was
unique in their way, male and female, all were well done.
Ed F. Martin
plays Moisés Kaufman and gives us a variation of Kaufman’s Venezuelan accent –
not quite there but exceptional nevertheless. Martin’s work is nothing short of
extraordinary and it’s the little things he does that bring a character to
life. Wiping the cookie crumbs vigorously from his fingers as he finished was
wonderful. It’s the little character
traits in all of his collective work that makes his performance so enjoyable.
Ann Noble also
does some very fine work as Beth Loffreda, Leigh Fondakowski, Deb Thomson. One of the interesting things about her performance
of Deb Thomson, Editor of the Daily Boomerang, is that Noble is showing us a
person with a lot of outside biting pressure, from the community, from the
owners of the paper, political leaders with their agendas, and now from the
Tectonic Theatre Company on the tenth anniversary. Noble is a fine actor and her craft is
evident.
Dylan Seaton played
Aaron McKinney to perfection. The
character is a man who has lost his way, doesn’t know right or wrong, and can
only remember the past only if it suits his purpose. Seaton is specific with his character choices,
and his objective appears secretive. He can’t bother to be honest with the
person interviewing him. His eyes wander
from side to side, hiding something, a truth perhaps. He has an agenda and is not willing to
disclose it. Seaton is very convincing
and shows us some really strong character work.
Christine Sloane does
a grand job in the seven characters she portrays. Her accent was authentic and the manner in
which she moved about the stage specific. She was terrific in very complex roles.
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| L - R Paul Witten, Paul Haitkin -Photo by Win Win Imaging |
Paul Witten was
magnificent as Greg Pierotti. His
performance soared in the interview scene. Witten is playing an actor/writer who is
interviewing a convicted murderer and he is terrified. There are a lot of things going on here
including his memory, which must be superb to remember the details of his
interview with a no pen, paper, or tape record to take down the details. (Not
sure how that was done in real life but would really like to know.)
Leslie Stevens is
also in the cast but did not perform on this night and Victoria Hoffman is an understudy.
Ken Sawyer, the
Director, has directed a masterful show. Most everything worked. His vision
seemed appropriate this night. The one
thing I didn’t understand was the set piece in the middle of the room, wooden
planks were not in position and were later fitted into place. (Putting the
pieces back together, perhaps?) Maybe if
it was “the fence” it would be more haunting and symbolic.
The writers have written a terrific play but the play goes a
little off track with Resolution 17 and other things changing or not changing in
Wyoming attributed to Matthew Sheppard’s death but oddly enough the performance
played better than it read.
The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center – Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner
Cultural Arts Center did a masterful job getting this production here and
judging from the production values, no expense was spared. And specifically Jon Imparato, the Producer, deserves a lot of the credit as well. This was a job well done and story telling at
its finest.
And supporting the play was a huge crew to make sure all the
details were perfect. The members of the production crew are as follows:
Assistant Director/Production Stage Manager – Shaunessy
Quinn
Set Designer – Robert Selander
Scenic Artist – David Burnham
Lighting Designer – Luke Moyer
Costume Designer – Paula Higgins
Sound Designer – Ken Sawyer
Casting Director – Raul Staggs
Publicity – Ken Werther Publicity
Production Manager – Patricia Sutherland
Dialect Coach – Samara Bay
Stage Manager – Kathleen Jaffe
Assistant Stage Manager – Zackry Barclift
Master Carpenter – Robert Selander
Set Construction – Allison Hill, Michael Samulon
Scenic Painters – Robert Selander, Allison Hill, Michael
Samulon
Master Electrician – Adam Earle
Electricians – Adam Earle, Shaunessy Quinn, Michael Samulon
Property Master – Bethany Tucker
House Manager – Joshua Goldman
Light Board Operator – Adam Earle
Sound Board Operator – Shaunessy Quinn, Kathleen Jaffe
Box Office Manager – Katie Pomerantz
Graphics – Ken Sawyer
Run! Run! Run! And take someone who loves Wyoming and its people.
Run! Run! Run! And take someone who loves Wyoming and its people.
SEPTEMBER 13 — NOVEMBER 16, 2013
FRIDAY & SATURDAY AT 8PM, SUNDAY AT 7PM
NO PERFS ON SAT 9/28 AND SUN 10/20
FOR
TICKETS:
DAVIDSON/VALENTINI THEATRE
AT THE GAY & LESBIAN CENTER'S VILLAGE AT ED
GOULD PLAZA
1125 N. McCADDEN PLACE
HOLLYWOOD
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