Some stories never seem to get old. An upcoming stage drama speaks to today's realities by connecting them to a past event.
The stage presentation of "The Laramie Project" is based on an actual tragedy, which occurred a quarter-century ago.
"Back in 1998, there was a horrible murder of a young gay man who was taken out and beaten up, tortured and left for dead, tied to a fence post in the Wyoming winter. Was out there for 18 hours and he eventually died of his wounds and exposure."
That's well-known local live-drama director Jeff Mandel. He and co-director Alison Quinn are staging the production that came in the wake of the murder, although he's quick to point out the actual killing is not portrayed
"A New York theater group about a year later went out to Laramie, Wyoming to interview every one who would talk to them; people who knew the victims, people who knew the killers, the killers themselves, local clergy and media, political folks. They took about 8 trips there and did over 200 interviews and then distilled the interviews down into the play."
Mandel said much of the play's power comes from its timeliness.
"One part that's hard about doing this production is realizing we could have the next such incident tomorrow. That part is very sad. But, we are spreading the awareness of this in hope of averting some of that at least. We're also doing it to help raise funds for some of the organizations that fight discrimination."
The local production will run through most of the remainder of this month.
"The play opens up this Friday, January 10th and it runs for 3 weekends. Friday and Saturday nights at 8 and Sunday afternoons at 2 o'clock at the Monticello Opera House in Monticello, Florida."
