The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman
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Book Reviews of The Laramie Project
Book Review: My humble, unscholarly opinion of a masterpiece.
Summary: 5 Stars
The most I remember about the murder of Matthew Shepherd was the cover of a TIME magazine with a picture of Matt and the fence on it, and wondering, "What does a fence have to do with this kid?" Like quite a few of the characters in this play, I didn't feel any connection to this person or the entire "incident" at first. But a few months ago, the director for my high school's drama club announced we would be doing "The Laramie Project" for a fall play, and my first reaction was (still) pretty blank as I struggled to remember where I had heard the word "Laramie" before. But, not being one to miss any play I can act in, I signed up to audition, got my parts (not knowing who any of the characters were) and finally got a complete script about two weeks later.The play is written with each "scene" comprising of several different conversations or monologues melded together to form a specific "moment" in time that joins with other moments to provide a picture of the events in question. (Confused yet? Sorry, but this was the best way for me to put the structure into words, but it will make a little more sense after reading the script.) Anyway, enough with the objective, on with the subjective. Moisés Kaufman and the other members of the Tectonic Theater Project have put together a modern masterpiece here. While sifting through the 200+ interviews they made over the two years they sent in Laramie, they never dulled the vibrant emotions of the residents of the city. (Some evidence of this is their refusal to water-down the "colorful metaphores" in the characters' speech [a job the administration of my school decided to take upon themselves to do {GRRRRRRR!}].) This has been one of the best plays I have ever seen (or acted in), not because of a good cast (although our cast WAS pretty cool) or some nice scenery, but because of the lines and characters themselves.
A note to any directors of school (or community) drama troupes: while homosexuality is a major topic in this play, the writers do a good job of staying true to the blessing of Father Roger Schmit when he tells them "to do [their] best to say it correct" and not put any kind of pro/anti-gay twist on the story to further any political/social cause except for anti-hate. THAT is the real focus of the story, not GAY PRIDE but a rejection of discrimination in any form it takes. Just mention this fact and any disquiet in your school/community over the play should settle down pretty quickly (at least it did in my school).
Thank you for reading (if you were patient enough to read this entire thing), BUY THIS BOOK, and I hope you enjoy it.
Book Review: "Go home, give your kids a hug, and don't let a day go by without telling them that you love them."
Summary: 5 Stars
About 10 years ago. Matthew Shepard was tortured and killed outside of Laramie, Wyoming. His killers, motivated by greed and hate, tied him to a fence on the lonely prairie, beat him, stole his shoes and wallet, and left him to die.
Shepard was found by a bicyclist the next day, but died shortly after in a hospital. In announcing his death, his parents stated ""Go home, give your kids a hug, and don't let a day go by without telling them that you love them."
Four weeks after the death of Matthew Shepard, nine members of the Tectonic Theater Project traveled to Laramie and started collecting interviews with members of the community. They collected over 200 interviews in a 18 month period. The result? The Laramie Project, a powerful play on hate, tolerance, forgiveness, and religion.
This book is the screenplay. I've seen the play performed twice, once in Honolulu and once in Utah. Reading the screenplay wasn't as powerful as experiencing the performance, but it was powerful nonetheless. You are numbed as you "hear", in their own words, people point fingers, make accusations, and try to find meaning in this event.
"I did hear from Matthew about forty-eight hours before his attack. And he told me that he had joined the gay and lesbian group on campus, and that he said he was enjoying it, you know, he was getting ready for Pride Week and whatnot. I mean, he was totally stoked about school - yeah, he was really happy about being there" (p. 20).
"There is a proclamation that came out on the family. A family is defined as one woman and one man and children. That's a family. That's about as clear as you can state it. There's no sexual deviation in the Mormon Church. No - no leniency. We just think it's out-of-bounds" (p. 25).
"If you had a hundred customers like him it'd be the - the most perfect bar I've ever been in. Okay? And nothing to do with sexual orientation. Um, absolute mannerisms. Manners. Politeness, intelligence" (p. 29).
So now it is 2008, not 1998. What has changed? Could this type of crime still happen today? Would the community respond to this event in the same way?
This 112 page paperback is highly recommended.
Book Review: A powerful play about a pivotal American tragedy
Summary: 5 Stars
The 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, was a watershed event. This tragedy stimulated debates on anti-gay prejudice and violence. "The Laramie Project," by Moises Kaufman and the members of the Tectonic Theater Project, attempts to find meaning in the murder and its aftermath.Kaufman and the other members of the theater group travelled to Laramie, Wyoming, which was the focal point of the Matthew Shepard tragedy, in order to interview the people of the town. As the play's opening states, the dialogue of the play is drawn from these interviews as well as from other sources. Thus the play's language has a raw authenticity. Many different voices are heard: a policewoman, Matthew's father, a Catholic priest, a lesbian college professor, Matthew's killers, a Unitarian minister, a viciously anti-gay protestor, etc.
An interesting aspect of the play is the presence of Tony Kushner's play "Angels in America" as a sort of "background" text. "Angels" is mentioned more than once in this play, and indeed, there are significant parallels between the two texts. I recommend that people read both of these remarkable works.
Many issues are addressed in "Project." One character notes that "we need to own this crime." This play is a not only a morally challenging attempt to deal with a high profile tragedy, but also a compelling work of art.
Book Review: The lives behind the media spotlight...
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Laramie Project" is a deeply moving piece of theatre. In 1998, members of the Tectonic Theatre Project of New York journeyed to Laramie, Wyoming. In the wake of the tragedy of the murder of Matthew Shepard, company founder Moises Kaufman wanted to know "What can we as theatre artists to as a response to this incident".Their answer lies in "The Laramie Project". Through a series of interviews, the members of the company were able to capture the essence of those who live and work in Laramie and in Wyoming. Though characterized by many as "redneck" and "backwater", they found, instead, a group of sensitive and caring people, people bewildered by the negative media spin visited on their city.
These people come to life in "The Laramie Project". Eight actors portray scores of Laramie residents, and others affected by the tragedy. In a style reminiscent of television "docu-drama" (but much more powerful), these lives are played out in three acts.
It is impossible to come away from "The Laramie Project" unaffected. A chronicle of life, and death, it is a totally new brand of theatre; one that will redefine forever our concept of art imitating life.
An excellent companion piece is "Losing Matt Shepard", by Beth Loffreda.
Book Review: I Was In The Play
Summary: 5 Stars
The truth is, reading it wont do as much for you as a good performance. I'm not talking about HBO, I'm talking about theater.However, even though hundreds of high schools have done this play in the fall of 2002 alone, maybe you aren't able to see it.
This is the most amazing play ever. Not because it has amazing language like Shakespeare. In fact, the language can get pretty ugly because this play is compiled of monologues. Each monologue is from one of the many interviews which the Tectonic Theater Company made in Laramie. In other words, every single word spoken in this book was really said. EVERYTHING is true.
The play we did was so amazing. It CHANGED people. They looked at homosexuality differently. They had new respect and a new view of things. We ended up performing it for the whole school because they felt the students needed to see it.
The Laramie Project is about the responses to the hate crime commited in Laramie, Wyoming. The monologues include people who grew up with Matt Shepard, the boy who was beaten and left to die, people who helped the family, and people who knew the accused. i strongly encourage you to read this twice. Don't bother watching the movie, though.