Photo Flash: Clocktower Players Commemorate Matthew Shepard

It's been twenty years this week since a homophobic stain was placed on America when a 21 year old young gay man was robbed, brutally beaten, and left for dead tied to a fence for 18 hours outside of Laramie, Wyoming. It will be twenty years to the day on Oct 12th that he died shortly after midnight from that horrible tragedy. Matthew Shepard has become a face for hate crimes, tolerance, and the LGBT community in part to the incredible work the Matthew Shepard Foundation has done over the past two decades to erase hate.

One of the amazing parts of this story was the very next month in November, ten New Yorkers set out to Laramie to explore the town and that hideous crime. After interviewing more than 200 residents, they created a deeply moving play about bigotry, tolerance, fear, courage, hate, and hope. MOISÉS KAUFMAN and members of the Tectonic Theater Project thrust all of these topics into the mindset of Americans, shaping the way many view the LGBT community. The Laramie Project has since played around the country, an HBO movie version was produced in 2002, and people of all ages have been introduced to Matthew and h?is story.

After doing musicals for many decades, Clocktower Players in Irvington, NY has chosen this play for their 2018-2019 season to commemorate the anniversary of Matthew's death with opening night on Oct 12th and running for two weekends. While many people may use theater to escape what is happening in the world, Clocktower believes this story of hope and love is very uplifting during these divisive times in our country.

"It's unfortunate that this play is extremely relevant now,' says director George H. Croom. "A lot of the themes in this 20 year old play are still in our news every day. However, there is joy and hope in The Laramie Project that audiences in 2018 greatly need."

The theater company has joined the Erase Hate campaign being done during this LGBT History Month. The cast and Westchester community have shared photos of what they will do to help erase hate. See link here: https://www.facebook.com/ClocktowerPlayersInc/videos/2149687291768701/?

"I was amazed at the amount of people that have taken time to respond with a photo and word and the video views keep mounting," producer Cagle McDonald says. "One that surprised and touched my heart was 'protect.' I loved so many, though: Tolerance, educate, inspire, vote, spread kindness."

While working on this show, the cast who are all ages have had a chance to examine not only the history, but where we stand today on the topics in the play. They have shared what they can do today to help erase hate and have a desire that audiences will leave the production asking themselves what they can do as well.

The Clocktower Players cast includes: Alicia Bella, Harry Cooper, Elizabeth DiMeo, Donna Fox, Crystal Gonzalez, Tony Gordon, Zach LeClair, Paul Naclerio, Mark J. Parker, Clinton Powell, Larry Reina, and Julia Rust. The play is directed by George H. Croom and produced by Cagle McDonald.

The show runs Oct 12, 13, 20, 21 and tickets can be purchased in advance at http://www.irvingtontheater.com

A percentage of the profits from these performances will go to the Mathew Shepard Foundation. Tickets fees are less by buying in advance online. Group rates available.

Irvington Town Hall Theater is located at 85 Main Street, Irvington NY. Entrance on the N. Ferris Street side.