“8”

Uncover the truth about marriage for gay and lesbian Americans. “8”—a new play by Academy-award winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk, J. Edgar)—demystifies the debate around marriage equality by chronicling the landmark trial of Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now Hollingsworth v. Perry). “8” is a documentary-play re-enacting the California federal trial that started to make the case for legalizing gay/lesbian marriage; this case recently made it to the US Supreme Court on March 26th.

Learn about the historical context of marriage from expert testimony. See the human cost of discrimination. Uncover the arguments used to justify bans on marriage for gay and lesbian couples. Using the actual court transcripts from the landmark federal trial of California’s Proposition 8 and first-hand interviews, “8″ shows both sides of the debate in a moving 90-minute play.

Presented as a staged “reading” (with scripts in hand)

For further information on the script, see www.8theplay.com/about-8

Opening Date: 05/17/2013

Closing Date: 05/19/2013

Ticket Prices:

All seats - $15
No Group Rates or Discounts are available
A portion of the proceeds to benefit www.afer.org

Performance Times:

THREE NIGHTS ONLY
Friday and Saturday 8:00pm to 9:45pm
Sunday 2:00pm to 3:45pm

Authors/Playwrights: Dustin Lance Black

Directed by: Darren Nye

Cast:

THE PLAINTIFFS AND THEIR FAMILIES:
Kris Perry – Melissa Sheil
Sandy Stier – Laurie Devino
Spencer (son) – Alex Luckenbaugh
Elliott (son) – Mark Scoff
Paul Katami – Rick Holloway
Jeff Zarrillo – Ben Menahem

THE COURT:
Theodore B. (“Ted”) Olson – Jeff Maschi
David Boies – Stephen A. Mennella
Charles Cooper – Mike Levine
Chief Judge Vaughn Walker – Patrick J. Owens
Court Clerk - Emily Russoniello

WITNESSES FOR THE PLAINTIFFS:
Dr. Nancy Cott – Judi Parrish
Gregory Herek – Eric Walby
Dr. Ilan Meyer – Joe Stahley
Gary Segura – Mark Hunter
Ryan Kendall – Trevor Nalepka

OTHER WITNESSES:
David Blankenhorn – Joe Buz
Dr. William Tam – Vincent Funelas

ADDITIONAL VOICES:
Maggie Gallagher – Joanne Sternberg
Evan Wolfson – Barry Scoff
Broadcast Journalist – Jacqueline Alonso

Production Staff:

Producer – Marie Fiorello
Director, Set & Sound – Darren Nye (from “Avow”)
Lighting Designer – Dan Schulze
Scenic Designer – Emily Russoniello
Stage Manager & Lighting Ops – Bob Windhorst
Assistant Stage Manager – Cheryl Orson
Master Carpenter/Set Builder – Guy Suabedissen

Please see the Director’s summary page here!

Also please sign up as “going” on our Facebook Event page – here!

WHO SHOULD GO:
We encourage heterosexual/straight patrons to attend, who want to learn why a federal judge sided with the gay/lesbian plaintiffs on the issue of gay marriage, and why a subsequent federal district court upheld that decision. We also welcome LGBT patrons!

TALKBACK & GUESTS:
Talkback with cast, director and special guests to be held after each performance.

FRI MAY 17 – Stephen Slusher – Chief Legal Officer for a New Jersey biotechnology company, and previously participated in litigation on right-to-marry in New Mexico
SAT MAY 18 – TBD (Ryan Kendall cancelled the morning of May 18)
SUN MAY 19 – Garden State Equality’s Executive Director Troy Stevenson or appointee (http://www.gardenstateequality.org/about/staff)

Check back here for specific guests that will be participating!

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