Review: 'The Laramie Project' by Community Theatre at Woodbury

Dedicated to the memory of Matthew Shepard

Woodbury, CT - Community Theatre at Woodbury is presenting THE LARAMIE PROJECT, a 2000 play by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project about the reaction to the 1998 murder of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. The murder was denounced as a hate crime and brought attention to the lack of hate crime laws in various states. The well-written work is an intense three hours touched with some light-hearted moments; it ultimately brought forward much food for thought.

Shannon-Courtney Denihan was inspired to direct this show because she was a friend of Matthew Shepard when they went to college together. The last time she spoke with him was 48 hours before the events included in this play. With the 20th anniversary looming, Ms. Denihan decided to honor her friend by directing this beautiful and intense piece of work in his memory.

“Matthew’s death and the events surrounding it brought to light how we think and feel about homosexuality, class, violence, privileges and rights, and the difference between tolerance and acceptance...THE LARAMIE PROJECT continues to be relevant and tell a story that must be heard. It opens minds and is a reminder to not let this happen anymore....Its enduring relevance is a call for vigilance against hate.” - Shannon-Courtney Denihan in her Director’s Notes

Ms. Denihan, a graduate of the WCSU theatre program, is the director/drama advisor at Nonnewaug HS and a dance teacher at Southbury School of Performing Arts. She knew that this demanding work would be a challenge for the actors and she helped them to courageously speak the words that had been spoken by actual people. I was impressed by the achingly beautiful stage pictures that were painted by the series of “moments” that made up the play, with the opening and closing scenes the most memorable.

The play draws on hundreds of interviews conducted by the theatre company with inhabitants of the town, company members' own journal entries, and published news reports. It is divided into three acts, and traditionally eight actors portray more than sixty characters in a series of short scenes. The CTAW production featured 18 talented community theatre actors.

Because this was truly an ensemble cast, I hesitate to comment about which performances stood out from the rest. I can assure that there was not a weak link in the group and everyone rose to the level of acting ability required for each of their many roles. However, several of the Laramie residents returned enough times to stick in my mind.

Tom Denihan (ONCE at the Warner, NEXT TO NORMAL at Square Foot) gave a heartbreaking performance as the father of Matthew Shepard. Ashley Blackwell (CALENDAR GIRLS) gave her best performance as Romaine Patterson, a LGBT activist. Maureen Denver, a member of CTAW since its inception and currently their Artistic Director, was memorable as the sassy but caring mother Marge Murray.

Timothy DeRosa got to play lead playwright Moises Kaufman. Erika Dorio (GOD OF CARNAGE) stood out as paramedic Reggie Fluty. John Fabiani (NEW YORK) made his mark in the role of Doc O’Connor. Tom Mendicino (GOD OF CARNAGE) did well with the tough role of the Rev. Fred Phelps.

Tony Benedetti (FEMALE TRANSPORT at Phoenix Stage Company) made his CTAW debut. Michael Denihan, a St. Joseph HS senior, did well as Jedadiah Schultz, a theater student at the University of Wyoming, in his debut with CTAW. Samantha Gati appeared for the first time on the CTAW stage in her sixth show there. Teresa Moran (CALENDAR GIRLS with CTAW, THE TEMPEST and RADIUM GIRLS with Shakesperience) writes in her bio that she feels this piece of theatre is pure art. “This is memory and truth,” she writes and adds that she is humbled to be part of this production.

Ally Roche (TIED TO THE TRACKS) served well as the “Amazing Grace” soloist. Craig David Rosen (BENT at TBTA, producer of FENCES in Ridgefield Theatre Barn and AN ACT OF GOD at TheatreWorks New Milford) took on the role of Rulon Stacey, the hospital president. Jeff Savage of Northfield (DANCING AT LUGHANASA) played the compassionate Catholic priest Father Roger Schmit.

Michael Garvey, a junior at Nonnewaug where he appeared in THE ADDAMS FAMILY and FOOTLOOSE, kept coming back as Aaron McKinney, the university student who found the injured Matthew. Shannon Sniffin of Waterbury (CALENDAR GIRLS, VAGINA MONOLOGUES with Castle Craig) performed in her third show with CTAW. Vicki Sosbe (LION IN WINTER with TBTA) made her debut on the CTAW stage in four roles. Kylie Wolff rounded out the cast.

Some beautiful music was written by Mr. Denihan for the show. The instrumental “Outskirts” and “And I Was Moved” with lyrics added much to the beginning and end of the play. The set design by the director and Rob Koelmel featured a deconstructed wooden fence and many levels for the actors to use. Lighting and sound design by Bill Geddes only added to the effectiveness of the transitions. Be forewarned that the show contains some adult situations and language.

At the Saturday evening performance, I ran into John Ozerhoski, the original host of Backstage with Johnny O on Saturday mornings on WZBG, for the third time in a week. John was there to support his friend Tom Denihan. “I highly recommend this very moving and thought-provoking piece out in Woodbury,” he wrote after seeing this memorable production.

*Note to the gentleman who sat across the aisle: In the darkened theatre, patrons seated around you were distracted every time you checked your phone and even texted a message. There were two intermissions, for goodness sake, and this was not the show to interrupt at any time.

THE LARAMIE PROJECT, an important work that is vitally brought to life in the CTAW production, continues through Oct. 21 at Woodbury Historic Town Hall.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle.She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.