Theater League of Clifton Presents:
The Laramie Project The people of Clifton aren’t just diverse in ethnicity and religion, but in sexual orientation as well, and the upcoming Theater League of Clifton production, The Laramie Project, tackles that issue head on. The play, done in moment form, chronicles the reactions and feelings of the town of Laramie, Wyoming, and the events surrounding the death of Matthew Shepard.
Matthew was a University of Wyoming student, living in Laramie in the late 1990s. On Oct. 12, 1998, he was brutally beaten, tied to a fence, and left to die. Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney, both 21, killed a man because he was gay. The show begins with excerpts from interviews and journal entries of the people of Laramie. It progresses with Aaron Kreifels’ reaction
to finding Matthew barely breathing, tied to the fence post and Matthew’s subsequent hospitalization – seen through news press conferences. Henderson’s police interrogation and court sentencing are seen, as well as many of the vigils and prayer services that were held for Matthew and his family. Through this show, see the reactions of the human race in response to a tragic event. The hatred of some, the dark depths to which mankind can sink are shown – but more importantly, the amount of love and tolerance of most people comes through as well.
Jennifer Reyes-Vega
Frank Ciappi
Anayzah Thomas
Frank Salensky
Nadine Fusco
Odette Coronel
Scott Guzzo
Stephanie Smith
Mark Peterson
Sarah Fusco
Using quality Benjamin Moore paints
Sarge Painting
Robert Sandri 973-773-0280
• Gutter Cleaning • Exterior/Interior • Powerwashing • Spackling • Decks Cleaned/Sealed • Fully Insured • NJ Licensed 40
October 2008 • Clifton Merchant