Honoring the 30th birthday of the late Matthew Shepard, an all-star benefit reading of Moises Kaufman's The Laramie Project took place at the Town Hall Theater in Times Square on December 1st, with a V.I.P. cast party following the event. The evening, hosted by former Second Lady Tipper Gore and benefiting the Matthew Shepard Foundation, also included a special live performance by Cyndi Lauper.
Among the reading's stars were: Joshua Jackson, James Murtaugh, Stockard Channing, Judith Light, Robert Desiderio, Van Hansis, Peter Hermann and Chad Allen.
As the pinnacle of this important event, the Matthew Shepard Foundation presented Moises Kaufman and the members of the Tectonic Theater Project with its "Making a Difference" award for the creation and production of this groundbreaking play. Since its opening night almost seven years ago, the play has been produced over 5,000 times by schools, community theaters, faith-based organizations and mainstream theater groups around the world.
"We could not be more thrilled or humbled to receive the Matthew Shepard Foundation 'Making a Difference' award," said Moises Kaufman, "Since its premiere in New York in 2000, producing The Laramie Project has been an extraordinary experience for Tectonic Theater Project," Kaufman continued. "The Laramie Project has received international recognition for its portrayal of how a small town reacted to and dealt with one of the most publicized hate crimes in America. The play recounts the shock and confusion the citizens of Laramie felt after hearing the details of Matthew's assault. There was a strong desire to move forward and a great deal of introspection about what had happened to their idyllic town after this tragedy. At the same time, some residents were angry because they felt they were being misrepresented in the media."
For more information, please visit www.MatthewShepard.org or www.tectonictheaterproject.org.
Stockard Channing
Brian Kerwin and Stockard Channing
Judith Light
Judith Light and Robert Desiderio
Peter Hermann (critically acclaimed United 93)
James Murtaugh (upcoming film Two Weeks)
Chad Allen
Stephanie March (upcoming film Flannel Pajamas)
Stephanie March and Robert Desiderio
Joshua Jackson (recently completed a successful run on London's West End in A Life in the Theatre) and Van Hansis ("As the World Turns")
Chad Allen, Joshua Jackson, Judith Light, Peter Hermann and Van Hansis
Mary Beth Peil
Joshua Jackson and Glenn Connolly (Sothebys International Realty)
Judith Light and Van Hansis
Gregory Lewis (Matthew Shepard Foundation, Managing Director) and Stockard Channing
Stephanie March, Judy Shepard (Matthew Shepard Foundation, Executive Director) and Joshua Jackson
Judith Light, Judy Shepard and Stockard Channing
Bishop Gene Robinson and Judy Shepard
Judy Shepard with the Youth Advisory Council: Ryan Olson, Jennifer Wolhner, Ellen Adams and Matt Oertli
Van Hansis and Martha Byrne ("As the World Turns")
Tipper Gore (Evening's Host) and Cheyenne Jackson (critically acclaimed United 93)
Chad Allen and Terry Kinney (Director, Vineyard Theatre's upcoming Agony and the Agony)
Joshua Jackson with the Youth Advisory Council: Matt Oertli, Ellen Adams, Jennifer Wolhner and Ryan Olson
A United 93 reunion, Peter Hermann, David Alan Basche and Cheyenne Jackson
Gregory Lewis and Judy Shepard
Cyndi Lauper and Judy Shepard
Cyndi Lauper, Judy Shepard and Tipper Gore
Cyndi Lauper, Judy Shepard and Tipper Gore
Harry van Gorkum (upcoming Vineyard Theatre's Agony and the Agony) and Cheyenne Jackson (Agony and the Agony)
Todd Sears (Merrill Lynch) with his mom
Bishop Gene Robinson and Chad Allen
