The Laramie Project

Special Notice for Chiang Mai

Just in case you haven’t heard, this is the week to go to the theater.  The Gate Theater Group is presenting a play we should not miss: “The Laramie Project” by Moises Kaufman, on Thursday to Sunday, October 17, 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. and October 20 at 2 p.m. at the Kad Suan Kaew, 7th floor theater.  The suggested donation is 270 baht, but we’ll be generous, of course.  For more information and pictures click on www.gate-theater.com

“The Laramie Project” is based on interviews made in Laramie, Wyoming on November 14, 1998 after 21 year-old gay Matthew Shepherd was tied to a fence on October 6 and so brutally beaten by Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney that he died on October 12.  Since then Matthew Shepherd has become an icon and banner example of brutality against gay people.  Matthew’s mother’s campaign against hate crimes led to many changes in US federal and state laws.  

The powerful drama was first presented in New York City.  See the story, beginning with an article online at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Laramie_Project and  to see the made for TV production click on www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1qiTmF0p4A or just type in “The Laramie Project” on Google for these and other listings.  The drama has taken on a life of its own, being a magnet for strong emotions and sometimes homophobic reactions, as was the recent case when the University of Mississippi production of “The Laramie Project” was interrupted by the Ol’Miss football squad a month ago.

Here in town the drama is being enacted by about 30 local residents who are part of The Gate Theater Group, directed by Stephan Turner, a Chicago educated, New York experienced theater professional who prefers to live the better life here in Chiang Mai.  Amateur and volunteer groups like The Gate Theater Group (and I cannot refrain from mentioning the Chiang Mai Youth Symphony Orchestra) are part of the reason life here in Chiang Mai is better.