The apparition of these faces in the crowd

Thesis is... still going. And going... and going.

But I took Saturday night off to go see The Laramie Project with my RA as she's JUST that cool. (actually it was my RA and her boyfriend but that's getting technical).

I don't think I've ever walked out of a theatre feeling numb. Perhaps it was the tone of the play or the subject matter. I don't know which. It's so interesting how the play is created around a collection of interviews and journal entries, with a central narrator introducing people as they talk. So it was very interesting to see one actor play, perhaps, the bartender who was the last to see Matthew alive, to Fred Phelps and even Aaron McKinney.

But I think what was so striking about our production was the use of video. The guy who had directed it here on campus as well as a couple others involved with the production (like set designer I think) had gone out to Laramie and had filmed video of the town and had taken a TON of still pictures. So while the production was going, these images were being projected above the stage on three different screens. Like, the fence he was found on during THAT scene. It made it so haunting.

They also had a live musician at the beginning and end of each act (well, not beginning of act II but close enough). He actually composed the music for the work, and it fit so well. I think the song that still is sticking with me comes from the end of the play when they talk about all Matthew saw in the end were the "twinkling lights of the city". Projected pictures of Laramie at dusk and performed this song and it was more than moving.

The feeling I still have after this play was like how I felt for a week after seeing Brokeback Mountain. It still is sticking with me in that hauntingly good way.

Honestly, if any of you ever have a chance to see a production of the Laramie Project -- either done professionally or on a college campus or even community theatre, I'd GO. It's just an amazing piece.

And I'm done rambling on about it. :)