After 25 years, ‘The Laramie Project’s powerful message about intolerance is as relevant as ever

Arvada Center production does justice to Moises Kaufman’s play about the death of Matthew Shepard

Twenty-five years ago this month, Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, was attacked and left to die on a fence in a field near Laramie, Wyoming.  His premature death left a mark on the human landscape of society with the creation of the Matthew Shepard Act in 2009 focusing on hate crimes involving sexual orientation and gender identity. Matthew was killed merely because he was gay. For no other reason.

Fast forward 25 years and Matthew’s story is being told once more in the Arvada Center’s Black Box Theatre with a first-rate production of The Laramie Project. Co-directed by Kate Gleason and Rodney Lizcano, the production is a truth-based recollection of the times surrounding Matthew’s attack and death through the eyes of those who experienced the horror firsthand — the people of Laramie.

In a documentary-style remembrance, The Laramie Project started out as an undertaking by Moises Kaufman, a playwright and director, and the members of Tectonic Theater Project. It is well documented that members of this company descended upon Laramie six times over the course of a year-and-a-half, to interview those who knew Matthew and those who were impacted by his murderous attack and death. Their interviews became the basis for The Laramie Project.

The gifted ensemble of actors chosen to tell Matthew’s story includes Lizcano, Torsten Hillhouse, Christopher Hudson, Chrys Duran, Susannah McLeod, Warren Sherrill, Jada Suzanne Dixon and Anne Oberbroeckling. Each actor plays a variety of real-life characters, including a member of Tectonic Theater Project.

Although it would be impossible to highlight each role brought to life, there are some significant individual performances that must be cited. Sherill is red-hot as Doc O’Connor, a local limo driver who recounts how he drove Matthew to a gay bar in Fort Collins one evening. McLeod is stoic as Reggie Flutie, the law enforcement agent who found Matthew’s decimated body following the brutal attack.

One of the most disturbing characters is Reverend Fred Phelps, the gay-hating preacher, played with frightening intensity by Lizcano, who is determined to spew hateful venom across Matthew’s funeral procession. One can feel waves of disgust flow through the audience during this moment in the play.

As Romaine Patterson, Duran gives a highly energized performance as she fights for justice to be served. Hudson hits a spark and ignites as bartender Matt Galloway and soars with his true-to-life characterization that claws at the pressing reality of the situation. Another role that Hudson takes on with great depth is Aaron McKinney, one of Matthew’s killers. Hudson is an extremely versatile actor who shines in this production.

As directed by Gleason and Lizcano, the production is a moving recollection of events surrounding the life and death of Matthew Shepard. However, it is not a staid reminiscence. It is a sharp, well-thought-out production that uses multiple elements to tell this true story without being overly sentimental.

One special element of the production worth mentioning are projections on the back wall of the acting area. Designed by Garrett Thompson, they set a tone for each moment — from beautiful scenery and locale shots to brutal anti-gay propaganda.

This production of The Laramie Project brings together a group of talented actors, with insightful direction and tells a critical story — the senseless murder of a gay man. It is a superb production that needs to be told again, and thankfully Arvada Center has done so.