Michael Arata, Natalie Boyd and More Set for Southern Rep's '8' THE PLAY

Southern Rep Theatre and the Forum For Equality announce the cast for its reading of "8" by Dustin Lance Black. The cast is as follows: Michael Arata, Natalie Boyd, Glenn Boyer, Kerry Cahill, Benjamin Carbo, Leon Contavesprie, Kyle Daigrepont, Dave Davis, Bob Edes, Andrew Farrier, Jim Fitzmorris, Jeffrey Gunshol, Jack Long, Taylor McLellan, Jennifer Pagan, Brian Peterson, Dorian Rush, Michael Aaron Santos, and Michael Sullivan.

Southern Rep Theatre and the Forum For Equality are co-presenting this staged reading of the American Foundation for Equal Rights and Broadway Impact's "8" by Academy-Award winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, Sunday, April 21, 7pm, at the newly-renovated Civic Theatre located at 510 O'Keefe Street.

Black, who won the 2009 Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the movie "Milk," is attending the presentation and will participate in a talkback after the reading. The play will be directed by Southern Rep Producing Artistic Director Aimée Hayes. Black will also meet patrons at a reception prior to the reading.

Black was a founder of the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), which backed the legal team of Republican Ted Olsen and Democrat David Boles's challenge of Prop 8 that resulted in the trial and appellate court's ruling in favor of marriage equality. That case was the subject of oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court last week. "8" is taken from the transcripts of the California trial.

Premiering in New York in 2011, "8" demystifies the debate around marriage equality by chronicling the landmark trial, showing historical context of marriage from expert testimony, the human cost of discrimination and Prop 8 proponents' arguments used to justify banning same-sex marriages. Past staged reading performers include George Clooney, Brad Pitt and other Hollywood stars that support marriage equality.

The pre-performance cocktail party with Black will benefit NOAIDS, Project Lazarus, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, the Human Rights Campaign and the Forum for Equality. Black will also appear on stage following the 90-minute play to answer audience questions.

Ticket prices are $15 for the second balcony, $30 for the first balcony and $50 for the orchestra. The pre-performance party tickets of $100 include reserved orchestra seating for the 7 pm performance. To purchase tickets, go to the Forum for Equality web site, www.forumforequality.org

Mark Behar, a member of the Forum For Equality Foundation board, was the Forum's liaison with Southern Rep in producing this performance.

Sponsors of "8" include Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith, A PLC, Wells Fargo, Larry Best and Kory Chatelain, Baker Donelson, Lee Adler, Dr. Marc Behar, Derrin Bergeron, Dr. Jody Gates and Marilyn McConnell, Cathy Fournier, Henry Lambert and Carey Bond, Jonathan Wallick and Marjorie Esman, In Memory of Dr. Mollie M. Wallick.

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