Bruce Vilanch will host the 8 PM launch event to benefit the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Equality California at Largo at the Coronet (366 N. La Cienega Blvd.) in West Hollywood, CA. Standing on Ceremony, in reading format, will continue on five consecutive Mondays beginning Jan. 10, 2011. Plays and casting for the remaining run will be announced at a later date.
The evening will feature one acts by Jordan Harrison (Doris to Darlene), Jeffrey Hatcher (Tuesdays with Morrie), Moisés Kaufman (The Laramie Project), Neil LaBute (Reasons to Be Pretty), Wendy McLeod (Schoolgirl Figure), Kathy Najimy (The Kathy and Mo Show), José Rivera (Marisol), Paul Rudnick (I Hate Hamlet) and Doug Wright (I Am My Own Wife). Conceived and directed by Brian Shnipper, "these new provocative plays were created in response to the on-going battle for marriage equality throughout the United States," according to producers Joan Stein and Stuart Ross.
Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays will play and Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31, 2011, and Feb. 7, 2011. All performances are at 8 PM at Largo at the Coronet.
Expect "an evening that is at once as insightful, and stirring as it is funny and heartwarming," according to the producers. "The truth of the writing is so compelling that the program becomes a fast testimony to the struggle for commitment, compassion and humor for all people who have the courage to work through any committed relationship."
After two sold out benefits earlier this year with the New York Theatre Workshop and at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, Standing on Ceremony, which has since been restyled, "is now being launched as a theatre event that will serve as a lightning rod for raising consciousness — an advocacy piece that will also enjoy a long commercial life as a funny, heart-felt and illuminating evening that celebrates the courage to be in a relationship." Tickets are $50 and $100 and are available online at StandingOnCeremony.net or by calling Tix.com at (800) 595-4849.
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For additional information visit www.StandingOnCeremony.net.
