‘Laramie Project’ still relevant after 20 years

Although Shepard’s murder garnered worldwide attention at the time and although attitudes toward homosexuality have softened in the ensuing 20 years, homophobia and other prejudices haven’t disappeared.

Hence this play remains relevant as well as extremely moving. As artistic director Patrick Klein says in the program, “ … Our current administration has drawn out the undercurrent of bigotry that still festers in parts of our great nation … .”

However, as managing director Elizabeth Santana said on opening night, “This is a story of hope.” That’s why the program includes a note card for viewers to write how they can show kindness and compassion. The cards are posted in the lobby.

Sensitively directed by Lee Ann Payne, eight actors portray dozens of characters, most of them Laramie residents. As Act 1 begins, they talk about how much they like their town with its population of about 27,200.

As that act ends, the hospital CEO reads a statement from Shepard’s family requesting privacy while he clings to life in the intensive care unit. Act 2 revolves around his death and the trials of his assailants.

The assailants left a bar with Shepard and drove out of town, where they savagely beat him, tied him to fence and left him. Fifteen hours later, Aaron Kreifels, a university freshman bicycling along that remote road found him and summoned help. Several times during his interview he wonders why God chose him to find Shepard.

First to respond was Sheriff’s Deputy Reggie Fluty. She cut the unconscious Shepard loose and says that the only place on his face not caked with blood was where tears had fallen. It’s a startling revelation.

Others who speak are the bartender who was the last to see Shepard before he left, Shepard’s college counselor, his friends, various clergymen, a lesbian professor and a doctor.

A theater major talks about how he won a scholarship to the university by doing a scene from “Angels in America,” but his parents refused to watch him because of the play’s gay theme. There’s a Muslim student who proudly wears a hijab.

A lesbian student and her friends don angel outfits and surround hate-preaching minister Fred Phelps with their wings, hiding him from view.

It’s a marvelous work by an ensemble cast featuring Jeff Clarke, Josiah Frampton, Kelly Hudson, Judith Miller, Dana Cordelia Morgan, Roneet Aliza Rahamim, Brad Satterwhite and Todd Wright.

The spare set by Nikolaj Sorensen comprises mainly a few chairs and a backdrop of three windows showing his projections of various scenes in the city and, touchingly, the fence where Shepard was found.

This is a provocative, memorable theatrical experience, a must-see.

Running about two and half hours with one intermission, “The Laramie Project” will continue through Feb. 4 at the Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. For tickets and information call (650) 329-0891 or visit paplayers.org.