Gay marriage plays returning to L.A. for six performances
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Gay marriage in California remains in a state of limbo after a federal appeals court put same-sex weddings on hold at least until December following another judge’s decision declaring that Proposition 8 violated the U.S. Constitution.
Activists on both sides of the debate are rallying the troops for an eventual showdown. In West Hollywood, a group of prominent playwrights and actors are showing their support for the defeat of Prop. 8 by bringing back ‘Standing on Ceremony,’ a collection of short plays dealing with same-sex marriage.
‘Standing on Ceremony’ is scheduled to begin its limited run at the Largo at the Coronet on Monday and will play five more Monday nights: Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31 and Feb. 7. All performances start at 8 p.m.; net proceeds from ticket sales will go to benefit the American Foundation for Equal Rights and Equality California. (Tickets are going for $50 to $100.)
A different version of ‘Standing on Ceremony’ received a one-night performance in 2009 at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. Versions of the show have also played at the New York Theatre Workshop.
The version opening this month in West Hollywood features short plays by Neil LaBute, Doug Wright, Moisés Kaufman, Paul Rudnick, José Rivera, Jordan Harrison, Jeffrey Hatcher, Wendy McLeod and Kathy Najimy.
The cast for the first performance includes Jason Ritter, Hamish Linklater, Jean Smart, Jillian Armenante, Richard Gilliland and Najimy. The casts of subsequent performances will be announced at a later date. Comedian-writer Bruce Vilanch will host Monday’s performance at the Largo.
-- David Ng
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