This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Oct. 25, 2012 - Compassion is what you think of after seeing Maplewood Richmond Heights' performance of “The Laramie Project.” A show that has you expecting to experience a gloomy tale is able to have you leave the theater with a sense of hope.
“The Laramie Project” is a controversial play by Moisés Kaufman about the 1998 murder of a young gay man, Matthew Shepard, and the townspeople of Laramie, Wyo., reflecting upon it. This play helps define the great issues our country faces over acceptance and gives you a clear understanding of what compassion truly is.
Throughout the show, some meaningful characters seem to stick out the most. Presten Pinnell does a phenomenal job portraying the character of Matt Galloway, a homely bartender with a story. Matt (Pinnell) gives off a welcoming vibe that sets him apart from other characters. Another memorable actor is Miguel Hernandez who depicts the cab driver Doc O'Connor. His stage presence is comfortable and believable, and provides the show with some light-hearted humor to ease the somber feel.
The amount of stage time an actor is given does not show if they can truly portray a character in their best way possible. Lucy Miller's portrayal of the grandmother Lucy Thompson proves that a minor character can make a large impact. The emotion and meaning in her words send a chill up your spine as she begs to see her grandson live after his terrible assist in Matthew's murder. Romaine Patterson, taken on by Taylor Kennedy, does a great job showing the real friendship and care she had for Matthew with her powerful presence on stage.
The real eye-catcher of this performance of “The Laramie Project” is the phenomenal set design created by James Owens. The intricate wooden moving panels are unlike any traditional set, with uniqueness that emphasizes the simplicity of the rest of the show. Along with the set, the lighting illuminates the stage beautifully in a dramatic view.
Unfortunately, there are some technicalities with the stage platforms as it is difficult to hear certain actors speak when other actors walk by, creating rickety loud sounds. It also seems that the lighting is inconsistent when spotlights appear on multiple actors too soon or too delayed. Occasionally, it was too difficult to see certain actors, and it is unclear if they are meant to be seen or not. Actors also encounter issues themselves while onstage as cues seem to be off which causes confusion with lines that are given too soon or too late.
Maplewood Richmond Heights is able to retell the story of the death of a young man who deserved nothing but love and acceptance from his peers. This play is a learning experience that gives you a look at the perspectives of others, and compassion being the most important thing we all must have within us.
Michelle Zigler is a student at Francis Howell High School. The Cappies program works with students to review high school theatrical productions.