Madison, WI - The Laramie Project is a thought provoking, critically acclaimed and emotionally riveting theatre experience of a small town at the epicenter of an incomprehensible crime. Hailed by Time Magazine as one of the "Top Ten Plays of the Year 2000," The Laramie Project is a drama that holds up a mirror to society, portraying a moving testimonial of the disastrous consequences of prejudice. Madison Theatre Guild is proud to present The Laramie Project to the Madison community April 11 - 26, 2008 at the Bartell Theatre at 113 E. Mifflin St.

In 1998, Matthew Shepard, a twenty-one-year-old gay student registered at the University of Wyoming, was tied to a cattle fence, beaten about the head, robbed, and left to die on a bitterly cold Laramie night in October. Two local young men were charged with the crime. Based on over 400 interviews, as well as journal entries from the members of Tectonic Theatre Project, and structured as a documentary, it captures an entire community and its members' varied reactions to not only a specific incident, but discussions of primary themes: violence, sexual politics, education, class systems, ethics and morality, and the fundamental difference between tolerance and acceptance.

The diverse Madison Theatre Guild ensemble includes a wide spectrum of the local acting community ranging in age from 18-80 featuring Tara Affolter, Michael Birkley, Harvey Black, Junior Davidson, Catlin Felix, Tom Haig, Alan Hart, Scott Hurlbert, Chaz Ingraham, Gary Kriesel, Keysha Monique Mabra, Odari McWhorter, Zoe Nelson, Lindsay Pederson, Lauren Peterson, Jordan Pederson, Ilona Pinzke, Jessica Radtke, Jerreme Rodriguez, Mandi Grace Spradling, Bart Terrell, Vikki Williams, and Adam Wolter. The show is directed by two UW-Madison students, Thomas Kasdorf and Caitlyn O'Mara.

Performances: April 11 - 26, 2008

Bartell Community Theatre 113 E. Mifflin Street, Madison, WI

Performance Times: Friday, April 11 at 7:30 pm; Saturday April 12 at 7:30 pm; Sunday April 13 at 2:00 pm; Thursday April 17 at 7:30 pm; Friday April 18 at 7:30 pm; Saturday April 19 at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm; Sunday April 20 at 2:00 pm; Thursday April 24 at 7:30 pm; Friday April 25 at 7:30 pm; Saturday April 26 at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm.

Ticket Prices: Thursday evenings and all matinees $12. Friday and Saturday evenings $15.

Call 608-238-9322 ext.1 or visit www.madisontheatreguild.org for reservations.