The Laramie Project Reviews - 2005

C.A.T.S. Presents "The Laramie Project"

The Community Arts Theater Society (CATS) of Big Bear Lake announces its upcoming production of “The Laramie Project”, at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center in Big Bear Lake. This award winning play was heralded by Time Magazine as “one of the ten best plays of the year”, “astonishing” by The Associated Press and “a theatrical event not to be missed” by New York magazine. Evening performances will take place on April 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15 and 16. All evening shows have a 7:30 p.m. curtain. Matinees will be held on April 3 and April 10, both with a 1:30 curtain.

Reserved seating tickets are on sale now at the PAC Box Office located at 39707 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, or by telephone at (909) 866-4970. Ticket prices vary. Mastercard and Visa are accepted. The City of Big Bear Lake assesses a per-ticket surcharge of $1.00. ticket information

“The Laramie Project” chronicles the events that surrounded the beating and ultimate death of University of Wyoming student, Matthew Shepard. The brutality of the crime, the youth of its perpetrators, and the media frenzy that followed, focused national attention on the small town that was at first reeling from shock, then dealing with the inevitable question of, “How could this happen here?” The content of the play is based on over 200 interviews of the people of Laramie, conducted over a time period of one year. The result is similar to time-elapsed photography in which a year of emotion and transformation are presented in condensed, crisp detail. The result is an attention-grabbing play that takes hold fast and doesn’t let go until a riveting, breathtaking conclusion.

According to CATS CEO and Co Producer Russ Lowery, CATS opted to produce “The Laramie Project” in large part due to the similarities between the rural university town of Laramie, Wyoming and Big Bear Lake and its surrounding communities. “Consider just the demographics. Laramie, Wyoming is described as a small western town in the mountains; church going, family oriented, with a population of 24,410 and elevation, 7,165. We saw how the issues of tolerance and diversity that surfaced as a result of the murder both shocked and divided the town, and felt that it was both timely and important to offer this piece to our community”, stated Lowery. “This is reality theater at its best, and one of the most important pieces CATS has ever presented”.

Directed by Steve Gaghagen, “The Laramie Project” will be presented with multi-media effects, many of which will utilize photographs gathered during Gaghagen’s sojourn to Laramie, Wyoming last fall as part of his research for the project. Joanne McMaster’s intersecting set of ramps and levels, including the infamous image of the buck fence (to which Shepard was tied during the beating), along with her lighting design, will create visual impact complimenting the many textures and nuances of the plot and characters. Comments Co-Producer Karen Sargent Rachels, “One of the goals of CATS is to present thought provoking theater pieces. We are very fortunate to have a Broadway-commensurate talent like Steve in our organization. This will be a play everyone should see.”

Reserved seating tickets are on sale now at the PAC Box Office located at 31970 Big Bear Boulevard, or by telephone at (909) 866-4970. Ticket prices vary. Mastercard and Visa are accepted. The City of Big Bear Lake assesses a per-ticket surcharge of $1.00.

Press Contact: Beth Gardner (909) 585-5230