CELEBS JASON ALEXANDER, ZACHARY QUINTO, ERIC MCCORMACK AND MORE LEND THEIR TALENTS TO BENEFIT THE HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECT

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GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THIS ONE NIGHT ONLY THEATRICAL EVENT BENEFITTING THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN!
 
Celebs lending their talents include Debra Messing, Jason Alexander, Zachary Quinto, Eric McCormack, Timothy Olyphant and more…
and Mistress of Ceremonies Miss Coco Peru!
 
Tickets are $60 – 80 and can be purchased at www.elportaltheatre.com/events.html or at the El Portal Theatre Box Office (818) 508-4200.  The El Portal Theatre is located at 5267 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91401.
 

HOLLYWOOD’s A-LISTERS and AWARD WINNING PLAYWRIGHTS UNITE FOR STANDING ON CEREMONY: THE GAY MARRIAGE PLAYS

A one night only benefit reading for the Human Rights Campaign written and performed by America’s most celebrated artists

Los Angeles, CA (August 10, 2009) – On Saturday, September 12th at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, the Attic Theatre will present Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays – a one night only staged reading benefitting the Human Rights Campaign in response to the recent ruling on Proposition 8 in California.  Standing on Ceremonyis conceived and directed by the Attic Theatre’s Artistic Director Brian Shnipper.   

 

“When I watched Proposition 8 pass in California, I knew it was imperative for us as theatre artists to collectively respond and add our voices to the argument,” says Shnipper who  then contacted prominent American playwrights and asked them create short plays addressing the issue of gay marriage in America and/or Proposition 8 in California.   “What we got back were 12 amazing plays including a wide range of styles and approaches, from tender stories to hilarious, campy romps,” he continues. 

 

Hosted by the legendary Miss Coco Peru, Standing On Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays will be performed by Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, Jason Alexander, Hamish Linklater, Clark Gregg (both of The New Adventures of Old Christine), Lisa Edelstein (House), Dan Lauria (The Wonder Years), Peter Paige (Queer as Folk) and Jillian Armenante, to name a few.

 

The playwrights represented in Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Playsinclude Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Good Boys and True at Second Stage and TV’s Big Love), Constance Congdon (Off-Broadway – Tales of the Last Formicans), Marcus Gardley (dance of the holy ghosts at Yale Rep), Jordan Harrison (Doris to Darleneat Playwrights Horizons), Jeffrey Hatcher (Tuesdays with Morrie stage adaptation and The Duchessstarring Keira Knightley), Albert Innaurato (Broadway –Gemini), Christopher Kyle (The Monogamist at Playwrights Horizons and Oliver Stones’ Alexander), Wendy MacLeod (The House of Yes), Terrence McNally (Love! Valour! Compassion!), Susan Miller (My Left Breast and The L Word), Kira Obolensky (Lobster Alice at Playwrights Horizons) and Jose Rivera (Marisol and The Motorcycle Diaries). 

A wedding reception including cocktails, photographer and wedding cake will follow.

Check out what some of the playrights have to say about this important project:

Terrence McNally– “My spouse and I got “married” in Vermont 5 years ago. It was a tremendously moving experience and raised the ante in what was already a great relationship a hundred-fold.  I’m doing this because I believe full civil rightsfor gay men and women will never be achieved unless our personal relationships are recognized, dignified and legalized. Perhaps we cannot end society’s homophobia except by continued social intercourse — but we can definitely end legal homophobia with the stroke of a pen. It’s gonna happen, everybody knows that, so why any more delaly is my question.”

 
Jeffrey Hatcher – “I wrote  WHITE MARRIAGE because I was asked by Brian Shnipper, which is good reason enough.  But the subject of ‘white marriages’ has always fascinated me, which drives my wife to drink.”

 
John Guare told me to always say yes when someone asked you to write a play for some event because that’s one more play that wouldn’t have come into being. And, to be perfectly frank, I have spent so much of life as an honorary gay man, I was thrilled and honored to be asked. It is so wonderful to be able to “weigh in” on this historic social change–the first time in human history that legal marriage has been available to people other than heterosexuals. Now everyone can be miserable and ecstatic and bored and thankful in the flawed arrangement called legal marriage.
 

Jordan Harrison’s quote:

 
“Two of my closest friends got married in California in the summer before Prop 8 passed. The two brides were radiant in their gowns, the 200 guests felt the conviction of their vows – I feel certain that I wasn’t witnessing an imaginary wedding. I hope Standing On Ceremony can help to speed up what is clearly a national momentum towards equal rights for gay couples.”

 

 

 

Tickets are $60 – 80 and can be purchased at www.elportaltheatre.com/events.html or at the El Portal Theatre Box Office (818) 508-4200.  The El Portal Theatre is located at 5267 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91401.

Get your tickets now for this amazing one night only event!  And check back with CFMNews for more details as they arrive!

 

Marcus Gardley – “Coretta Scott King always asked this question: It shouldn’t be an either or should it; peace and justice should belong to all people everywhere all the time? And I firmly believe this.  When one group has certain rights and another group are denied these same rights for whatever reason – then peace and justice does not belong to everyone, everywhere all the time. And until it is, I must speak. I am compelled and honored to speak through my words for my community and for all people who believe in peace and justice”.

Wendy MacLeod – “I wrote the play because I can’t write a giant check” (to support gay rights)

Jose Rivera – “Whenever there are laws that separate people who love, something is wrong.  Gay or straight we all speak out because we’re all potential targets. Justice should always be on the wide of love”.

Author: Suzanne Philips
Film, TV, Theatre reviewer. Mad Dance Skillz, Crazy in a good way.

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