New Century Theatre Presents STANDING ON CEREMONY: THE GAY MARRIAGE PLAYS, 5/31-6/16

Hennepin Theatre Trust presents the new theatrical event Standing On Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays, running May 31–June 16, 2012 at the New Century Theatre. Showcasing funny, heartfelt "mini works" that celebrate the courage to be in a relationship–any relationship, Standing On Ceremony's smart and witty vignettes were penned by playwrights whose credits include two Pulitzer Prizes, four Obies, one Emmy and three Tony nominations. Wendy Knox of Frank Theatre will direct a stellar cast of six Twin Cities actors including Laura Adams, Shawn HaMilton Brown, Aimee K. Bryant, Jim Lichtscheidl and Mark Rhein, with one more actor to be announced soon. With this production, the Trust is working in cooperation with Minnesotans United for All Families, the official statewide campaign working to defeat the constitutional amendment that would exclude gays and lesbians from marriage in Minnesota.

Standing On Ceremony will run on selected nights, mostly weekends, opening on Thursday, May 31 and continuing through Saturday, June 16, 2012. It will be held at Hennepin Theatre Trust's New Century Theatre, 615 Hennepin Ave. S., in downtown Minneapolis on the street level of City Center. Tickets are $25, general admission, and go on sale at 11 a.m., Friday April 27, 2012. Discounts are available for groups, seniors and students. Visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org or call 1.800.982.2787 for tickets or more information.

As part of Standing On Ceremony each actor performs multiple roles in short pieces by an "A List" cadre of writers including the Minnesota-based Edgar Award winningplaywright Jeffrey Hatcher, Heideman Award winner Jordan Harrison, Tony Award nominee Moisés Kaufman, Mo Gaffney, Tony Award nominee Neil LaBute, Sundance Jury Prize winner Wendy MacLeod, Obie Award winner José Rivera, Obie and Outer Critics Circle Award winner Paul Rudnick and Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Doug Wright.

These artists came together to respond to one of the defining issues of our day, the on-going battle for marriage equality. In Minnesota, forces as diverse as the artistic community, the Minnesota Rabbinical Association and the Episcopal Church of Minnesota are aligning to defeat the upcoming November ballet amendment that would change the state constitution.

Standing On Ceremonyreturns to the New Century Theatre after its November 7, 2011, one-night-only Minnesota debut. It was performed simultaneously that evening at more than 40 theatres across the country and in Sydney and Toronto, including the Minetta Lane Theatre in New York City which hosted the Off-Broadway premiere, to encourage discussion about marriage equality. Standing on Ceremony, conceived by Brian Shnipper and directed by Stuart Ross, began as a series of benefit events in Los Angeles and took on a life of its own under the auspices of the Tectonic Theater Project with producersJoan Stein and Richard Frankel. Tectonic's Moisés Kaufman, Artistic Director and Greg Reiner, Executive Director, have been involved in other groundbreaking plays including The Laramie Project, I Am My Own Wife, and Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde which have helped spark national discourse about far reaching issues. For more information visit www.standingonceremony.net.

Hennepin Theatre Trust is pleased to be working again with director Wendy Knox of Frank Theatre for Standing on Ceremony. Frank is a professional theatre company recently recognized by City Pages for Best Musical, Best Director and Best Actor. Frank is committed to producing unique work which stretches the skills of the artists involved while simultaneously challenging everyday perceptions through the exploration of social, political and cultural issues.

The Plays of Standing on Ceremony are:

Traditional Wedding by Mo Gaffney a long-married lesbian couple reminisce about their wedding.White Marriage by Jeffrey Hatcher, a long-married couple take some old suspicions out of the closet when their son announces his pending nuptials.

The Revision by Jordan Harrison, an amusing look at how two men might rewrite their vows to more accurately reflect the limited options available to a gay couple.

This Flight Tonight by Wendy MacLeod asks if there is any hope for happiness when a lesbian marriage begins in Iowa.

On Facebook by Doug Wright was adapted from an actual Facebook thread chronicling one long fight among friends on the subject of gay marriage.

Strange Fruit by Neil LaBute is the story of two men in love whose plans to get married "the old-fashioned way" are stymied when reality rears its ugly head.

The Gay Agenda by Paul Rudnick is a sadly hilarious plea for understanding by an Ohio homemaker and member of Focus on the Family.

My Husband by Paul Rudnick puts a hilarious gay twist on the stereotype of the Jewish mother desperate to marry off her children.

London Mosquitoes by Moisés Kaufman is a poignant story in which a widower tries to make sense of the loss of his longtime lover.

Pablo and Andrew at the Altar of Words by José Rivera is a moving play about two men who use their marriage vows to "say the things we never really say."

Standing On Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays runs Thursday, May 31 through Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's New Century Theatre, street level of City Center (615 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 145, Minneapolis, 55403). Tickets are $25 for general admission seating and go on sale at 11 a.m., Friday April 27, 2012. Discounts are available for groups, seniors and students. Groups of 10 or more should call 612.455.9501 for information and reservations. Ticketsmay be purchased in person (no service fees) at the New Century Theatre, online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org or through Ticketmaster by calling 1.800.982.2787 or visiting a Ticketmaster Ticket Center. Prices include applicable facility fees. Additional charges may apply.

Performances dates for Standing On Ceremony are: Thursday, May 31, Friday–Saturday, June 1–2, Friday–Sunday, June 8–10, Thursday–Saturday, June 14–16, 2012. Performance times are Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, non-profit owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and the newly developed New Century Theatres, is dedicated to enriching the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the Twin Cities. We present a rich array of live performances, create inspiring arts education experiences and advance a thriving cultural destination in downtown Minneapolis. Our programs include Broadway touring productions, the Broadway Confidential series, our SpotLight Musical Theatre Program for high schools, the Critical View student reviewer program, our free ticket Access Program and Kids' Night and leading the planning for the cultural corridor that will extend from the Walker Art Center to the Mississippi Riverfront.

MINNESOTANS UNITED FOR ALL FAMILIES is a broad coalition of organizations and community and business leaders. Faith, labor, progressive, and nonpartisan organizations, communities of color, current and former elected officials, Republicans, Democrats, Greens, Independents, and Libertarians have all joined to defeat the constitutional amendment which would limit the freedoms of Minnesotans and ban marriage for same-sex couples in Minnesota.

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