The Ringwald Stages THE LARAMIE PROJECT

In honor of Matthew Shepard, 20 years after his murder, The Ringwald presents a four-show engagement of The Laramie Project, a landmark play by Moises Kaufman and Members of the Tectonic Theater Project. Performances begin Friday, September 14 and run through Monday, September 17.

Matthew Shepard was brutally beaten and left to die on October 6, 1998 in Laramie, Wyoming. He was 21. He was gay. He died six days later. Members of the Tectonic Theater Project made six trips to Laramie over the course of a year and a half, in the aftermath of the murder and during the trial of the two young men accused of killing Shepard. They conducted more than 200 interviews with the people of the town. This stunning and celebrated play is the result of those interviews.

The Laramie Project remains a significant and necessary work in the political climate of 2018, and stands as an inspiration for director and Ringwald co-founder Brandy Joe Plambeck. "As a gay man who is also a Wyoming native, The Laramie Project holds a significant place in my heart. Not only does it feature 'characters' of real-life friends of mine, but it also explores the cultural views of my home state. I find it heartbreaking, heartwarming, and incredibly impactful."

Directed by Plambeck and featuring Joe Bailey, Greg Eldridge, Taylor Johnson, Kelly Komlen, Sydeny Lepora, Joel Mitchell, Gretchen Schock, and Mike Suchyta. The Laramie Project tells the story of Shepard's life, death, and legacy from more than sixty perspectives.

There will be a special talkback following the Saturday, September 15 performance featuring the cast and director Plambeck, who will share his thoughts about growing up in Wyoming and his personal relationships with several of the real-life characters from the play.

Tickets can be purchased at www.TheRingwald.com or at the theatre, located at 22742 Woodward Avenue in downtown Ferndale. The Ringwald box office opens 45 minutes before performances and tickets can be purchased with cash or credit card. For more information, please call 248-545-5545.

The Ringwald opened their doors eleven years ago on May 11, 2007 with Fatal Attraction: A Greek Tragedy. Quickly, The Ringwald became a mainstay of Detroit's theatre community. Past highlights include: Company, Merrily We Roll Along, Let The Right One In, Life Sucks, The Rocky Horror Show, Heathers The Musical, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Mr. Burns: a post-electric play, Glengarry Glen Ross, Stupid F-ing Bird, Angels in America, Into the Woods, August: Osage County, Mercury Fur, The Bad Seed, The Book of Liz, and Evil Dead: The Musical. The Ringwald was named 2009, 2012 and 2013 Best Theatrical Troupe by Real Detroit and Best Place to See Local Theatre in 2010, 2011 and 2012 by the readers of Metro Times.

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