VIDEO: Rehearsing for the New Play '8'

On Sunday, February 10th, the Quannapowitt Playhouse features "8," the new production by Dustin Lance Black focusing on the debate over California's Proposition 8 same sex marriage ban, which is expected to end up in the Supreme Court.

In a recent visit to the Quannapowitt Playhouse, Wakefield Patch learned that 8 has a cast of about 20 and was first staged in New York and Los Angeles in 2012 with famous actors such as Morgan Freeman, Martin Sheen, Kevin Bacon, Brad Pitt, and George Clooney. In the Boston area, it was previously performed at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge.

Lifelong Wakefield resident Chip Sheeran is directing the production, while his wife Elizabeth is the producer. A number of cast members are also Wakefield residents.

The following cast members either live in Wakefield or are are Wakefield natives, with their characters' names to the right:

Mark Baumhardt - Jeff Zarrillo
Samuel Bianchet-David - Elliott Stier-Perry
Kate Mahoney: Maggie Gallagher at 4 p.m. show
Kerry Anne Kilkelly - Kris Perry at 4 p.m. show, Maggie Gallagher at 7 p.m. show.
Margaret McCarty - Kris Perry at 7 p.m. show
Brian Sensale - Evan Wolfson
Elizabeth Sheeran - Journalist

Strong interest in the show led the Quannapowitt Playhouse to add a second performance after the initial one sold out. This attached video clip shows cast members at a recent rehearsal.