Theater News

Jackson, Murtaugh, Najimy, Parker Join Cast of Laramie Project Benefit

Kathy Najimy
Kathy Najimy

Joshua Jackson, James Murtaugh, Kathy Najimy, and Mary-Louise Parker will join previously announced stars Chad Allen, Stockard Channing, Robert Desiderio, Van Hansis, and Judith Light for a special reading of The Laramie Project on Friday, December 1 at The Town Hall to benefit The Matthew Shepard Foundation. The reading will be directed by Moisés Kaufman, who helped create The Laramie Project. It will be hosted by Tipper Gore and will feature a special live performance by singer-actress Cyndi Lauper; additional performers will be announced at a later date.

The Laramie Project was created in the wake of Shepard’s murder near Laramie, Wyoming in 1998, as Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project interviewed residents of Laramie about the crime. The work premiered in Denver in 2000, followed by a critically acclaimed Off-Broadway run. An HBO film version featuring many celebrities was first telecast in 2002.

At the December 1 event, Matthew’s mother, Judy Shepard, will present Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theatre Project with the group’s “Making a Difference” Award. Tickets range in price from $55 to $500. For more information, click here.

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