McCormack, Olyphant, Futterman and Gant Join Cast of Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays

By Andrew Gans
August 17, 2009

The Attic Theatre will present Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays — a staged reading benefiting the Human Rights Campaign in response to the recent ruling on Proposition 8 in California — Sept. 12 at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood.

Conceived and directed by Attic Theatre artistic director Brian Shnipper, the evening will be hosted by Miss Coco Peru and will boast the talents of the previously reported Debra Messing, Jason Alexander, Hamish Linklater, Clark Gregg, Lisa Edelstein, Dan Lauria, Peter Paige and Jillian Armenante.

Newly announced for the evening are Eric McCormack, Timothy Olyphant, Dan Futterman, Zachary Quinto and Robert Gant.

The playwrights represented in Standing on Ceremony include Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Constance Congdon, Marcus Gardley, Jordan Harrison, Jeffrey Hatcher, Albert Innaurato, Christopher Kyle, Wendy MacLeod, Terrence McNally, Susan Miller, Kira Obolensky and Jose Rivera.

In a statement director Shnipper said, "When I watched Proposition 8 pass in California, I knew it was imperative for us as theatre artists to collectively respond and add our voices to the argument." Shnipper then contacted various American playwrights and asked them to create short plays addressing the issue of gay marriage in America and/or Proposition 8 in California. "What we got back," he adds, "were 12 amazing plays including a wide range of styles and approaches, from tender stories to hilarious, campy romps."

Playwright Terrence McNally recently commented, "My spouse and I got 'married' in Vermont five years ago. It was a tremendously moving experience and raised the ante in what was already a great relationship a hundred-fold. I'm doing this because I believe full civil rights for gay men and women will never be achieved unless our personal relationships are recognized, dignified and legalized. Perhaps we cannot end society's homophobia except by continued social intercourse — but we can definitely end legal homophobia with the stroke of a pen. It's gonna happen, everybody knows that, so why any more delay is my question."

A wedding reception including cocktails, photographer and wedding cake will follow the performance.

Tickets are $60-$80 and can be purchased at www.elportaltheatre.com/events.html or at the El Portal Theatre Box Office, (866) 811-4111. The El Portal Theatre is located at 5267 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood, CA.