Najimy, Ritter, Smart and Others to Star in Standing on Ceremony At Largo

Producers Joan Stein and Stuart Ross announced casting today for the Monday, December 6, 2010 launch event of STANDING ON CEREMONY: THE GAY MARRIAGE PLAYS. The cast includes Jillian Armenante, Richard Gilliland, Hamish Linklater, Camryn Manheim, Kathy Najimy, Jason Ritter and Jean Smart. The evening will feature one acts by some of America's most illustrious playwrights including JorDan Harrison (Doris to Darlene), Jeffrey Hatcher (Tuesdays with Morrie), Moisés Kaufman (The Laramie Project), Neil LaBute (Reasons to Be Pretty), Wendy McLeod (Schoolgirl Figure), Kathy Najimy (The Kathy and Mo Show), José Rivera (Marisol), Paul Rudnick (I Hate Hamlet) and Doug Wright (I Am My Own Wife). Conceived and directed by Brian Shnipper, these new provocative plays were created in response to the on-going battle for marriage equality throughout the United States. Bruce Vilanch will host the theatrical launch event to benefit the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Equality California at Largo at the Coronet (366 N. La Cienega Blvd.) in West Hollywood. STANDING ON CEREMONY will continue the special limited engagement for five consecutive Mondays beginning January 10, 2011. Plays and casting for the remaining run will be announced at a later date.

The STANDING ON CEREMONY playwrights have created an evening that is at once as insightful, and stirring as it is funny and heartwarming. The truth of the writing is so compelling that the program becomes a fast testimony to the struggle for commitment, compassion and humor for all people who have the courage to work through any committed relationship.

"Rallying the voices of some of our finest playwrights towards this Civil Right's issue became something we had to do, no matter what. By launching these plays we join the national movement for marriage equality," said Tony Award-winning producer Joan Stein. "And if we foster an entertaining and engrossing evening of theatre - regardless of demographics or orientation - so much the better," added producer Stuart Ross.

Academy Award-winning producer and American Foundation for Equal Rights Board Member Bruce Cohen said, "This funny, touching evening of theater reminds us of why marriage is so vitally important in our society, while also providing crucial support for our work to make marriage equality a reality. This collection of scenes not only supports the Foundation's work in the courtroom, but also helps to tell the stories of those affected by discriminatory laws like Proposition 8. We know that when our stories are told, equality wins."

"Raising awareness about same-sex relationships and the importance of restoring marriage equality is critical to ending discriminations," said Geoff Kors, Equality California Executive Director. "We truly appreciate the amazingly talented individuals who will bring these stories to life and Standing on Ceremony for their support in helping us continue our work to change hearts and minds and to achieve equality for LGBT Californians."

After two sold out benefits earlier this year with the New York Theatre Workshop and at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, STANDING ON CEREMONY, which has been restyled, is now being launched as a theatre event that will serve as a lightening rod for raising consciousness - an advocacy piece that will also enjoy a long commercial life as a funny, heart-felt and illuminating evening that celebrates the courage to be in a relationship.

Bruce Vilanch will host the STANDING ON CEREMONY special launch event on Monday, December 6 at 8:00 p.m. The evening will also feature an address by Bruce Cohen. Mr. Cohen, who will be arriving that evening from San Francisco, will give a hearing update after attending the first day of the American Foundation for Equal Rights' case before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Following the production, a festive wedding reception will take place in the courtyard at Largo with a special surprise by Mr. Vilanch.

Producing team for STANDING ON CEREMONY: THE GAY MARRIAGE PLAYS includes producers Joan Stein and Stuart Ross, and associate producer Allain Rochel. The limited engagement plays six Monday nights: December 6, 2010, January 10, 17, 24, 31, 2011 and February 7, 2011. All performances are at 8:00 p.m. and will be held at Largo at the Coronet (366 N. La Cienega Blvd.) in West Hollywood. Tickets are $50.00 and $100.00 and are available online at StandingOnCeremony.net or by calling Tix.com at 800-595-4849. Net proceeds from STANDING ON CEREMONY to benefit the American Foundation for Equal Rights and Equality California. Valet parking is available and there is ample street parking. For additional information visit www.StandingOnCeremony.net.

ABOUT AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR EQUAL RIGHTS (AFER):

The American Foundation for Equal Rights is dedicated to protecting and advancing equal rights for every American. Through its groundbreaking federal court case against California's Proposition 8-the ballot measure that eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry-the Foundation is leading the fight for marriage equality and equality under the law for every American. The Foundation assembled a legal team led by Theodore B. Olson and David Boies to demonstrate that Prop. 8 violates the U.S. Constitution by denying countless Americans equal protection under the law. Olson and Boies personify the non-partisan approach pursued by AFER, whose leadership is not defined by a partisan ideology, but rather by a devotion to those fundamental ideals that we all share as Americans. On August 4, 2010, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California found that Prop. 8 is unconstitutional. The case will now be heard by 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on December 6, 2010.

ABOUT EQUALITY CALIFORNIA:

Equality California (EQCA) is the largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender-rights advocacy organization in California. Over the past decade, Equality California has strategically moved California from a state with extremely limited legal protections for LGBT individuals to a state with some of the most comprehensive civil rights protections in the nation. Equality California has passed over 70 pieces of legislation and continues to advance equality through legislative advocacy, electoral work, public education and community empowerment. www.eqca.org

Photo Credit: BWW-Staff