Photo Flash: First Look at THE LARAMIE PROJECT at Ford's Theatre

Ford's Theatre presents The Laramie Project, by Moisés Kaufman and Members of the Tectonic Theater Project directed by Matthew Gardiner, now through October 27, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The centerpiece of this year's programming for The Lincoln Legacy Project-an effort to generate dialogue around issues of diversity, equality and acceptance-The Laramie Project presents a deeply complex portrait of a community's response to the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man living in Laramie, Wyoming. In a series of poignant reflections, the residents of Laramie react to the hate crime and surrounding media storm with anger, bewilderment and sorrow. The play portrays the seismic and deeply personal impact Matthew's death had on this small town while also demonstrating the power of the human spirit to triumph over bigotry and violence. Fifteen years later, Matthew Shepard's story still reverberates, urging us on with its clarion call to confront the destructive power of bullying and hate, in all forms.

Matthew Gardiner makes his Ford's Theatre directorial debut with The Laramie Project. He has directed and/or choreographed more than 25 productions including the recent Company and Dreamgirls at Virginia's Signature Theatre, where he also serves as Associate Artistic Director. Gardiner's New York credits include productions for Circle in the Square and the New York Musical Theatre Festival. He also has directed productions for the Kennedy Center, Studio Theatre, Everyman Theatre and Catholic University of America.

The cast for The Laramie Project is comprised of acclaimed Washingtonian actors including Kimberly Gilbert, Mitchell Hébert, Amy McWilliams, Eric M. Messner,Paul Scanlan, Kimberly Schraf, Chris Stezin, Katherine Renee Turner, Holly Twyford and Craig Wallace.

Scenic Designer Beowulf Boritt's (Fly, Broadway's The Scottsboro Boys) designs evoke Wyoming mountain ranges, and Projection Designer Clint Allen's (Fly, The Heavens Are Hung In Black) monitor displays showcase the media storm that the town of Laramie faced in the wake of Matthew's killing. The Laramie Project design team also includes Costume Design by Helen Huang (The Rivalry, The Carpetbagger's Children), Lighting Design by Rui Rita (Fly, A Christmas Carol,Meet John Doe, Trying), and Original Music and Sound Design by John Gromada (Fly, Necessary Sacrifices, Sabrina Fair). The production team also includesProduction Stage Manager Brandon Prendergast and Assistant Stage Manager Kate Kilbane.

The Lincoln Legacy Project is a multi-year effort to create dialogue in our nation's capital around the issues of tolerance, equality and acceptance. Each fall, a series of town-hall-style meetings, panel discussions, scholar talkbacks, in-depth student workshops and staged readings augment an evocative mainstage production. TheLegacy Project began with the Washington premiere of the musical Parade in 2011 and continued in 2012 with Fly, a story of the Tuskegee Airmen. Through a diversity of programming, The Legacy Project is designed to encourage people of differing viewpoints to engage in meaningful and respectful dialogue about diversity and understanding. For more information on the 2013 programming schedule for The Lincoln Legacy Project, visit http://www.fords.org/lincoln-legacy-project.

Ford's Theatre is located at 511 Tenth Street NW, Washington, D.C. (between E and F Streets). The show runs Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. (except September 28 and 29). Sunday, September 29, at 7:30 p.m. Matinees scheduled for 11 a.m. October 10, October 17 and 24. Tickets to The Laramie Project start at $18. Discounts are available for groups, senior citizens, military personnel and those younger than 35. Ford's Theatre is accessible to persons with disabilities, offering wheelchair-accessible seating and restrooms and audio enhancement. Tickets at www.fords.org and Ticketmaster: (800) 982-2787.

Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg