Southern Rep and Forum For Equality Announce Reading of 8 THE PLAY, 4/21

Southern Rep Theatre and the Forum For Equality announce they are presenting a staged reading of the American Foundation for Equal Rights and Broadway Impact's "8" by Academy-Award winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, Sunday, April 21, 7pm, at the newly-renovated Civic Theatre located at 510 O'Keefe Street.

Black, who won the 2009 Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the movie "Milk," is attending the presentation and will participate in a talkback after the reading. The play will be directed by Southern Rep Producing Artistic Director Aimée Hayes and feature the best of New Orleans actors. Black will also meet patrons at a reception prior to the reading.

Black was a founder of the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), which backed the legal team of Republican Ted Olsen and Democrat David Boles's challenge of Prop 8 that resulted in the trial and appellate court's ruling in favor of marriage equality. That case was the subject of oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court last week. "8" is taken from the transcripts of the California trial.

"At the 2009 Academy Awards, I promised young people they would soon know federal equality," Black said. "Later that year, I became a founding member of AFER, and, with the legal team of Ted Olsen and David Boles, we backed a federal case against Proposition 8 in California determined to make good on that promise."

"We are thrilled to be working with Southern Rep and Dustin Lance Black to bring this important staged reading of '8' to New Orleanians," said Sarah Jane Brady, executive director of the Forum For Equality. "This will be a wonderful evening, and we are grateful Black is coming to speak to us."

"When Southern Rep was approached by Broadway Impact about producing '8' we immediately said "Yes" and reached out to Forum to partner. The play eloquently uses the actual Prop 8 trial transcript to create a gripping 90 minute drama. We welcome Mr. Black to our city and look forward to working with so many NOLA performers to bring this necessary and moving play to life," said Southern Rep Producing Artistic Director, Aimée Hayes.

Premiering in New York in 2011, "8" demystifies the debate around marriage equality by chronicling the landmark trial, showing historical context of marriage from expert testimony, the human cost of discrimination and Prop 8 proponents' arguments used to justify banning same-sex marriages. Past staged reading performers include George Clooney, Brad Pitt and other Hollywood stars that support marriage equality.

The pre-performance cocktail party with Black will benefit NOAIDS, Project Lazarus, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, the Human Rights Campaign and the Forum for Equality. Black will also appear on stage following the 90-minute play to answer audience questions.

Ticket prices are $15 for the second balcony, $30 for the first balcony and $50 for the orchestra. The pre-performance party tickets of $100 include reserved orchestra seating for the 7 pm performance. To purchase tickets, go to the Forum for Equality web site, www.forumforequality.org

Mark Behar, a member of the Forum For Equality Foundation board, was the Forum's liaison with Southern Rep in producing this performance.

Sponsors of "8" include Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith, A PLC, Wells Fargo, Larry Best and Kory Chatelain, Baker Donelson, Lee Adler, Dr. Marc Behar, Derrin Bergeron, Dr. Jody Gates and Marilyn McConnell, Cathy Fournier, Henry Lambert and Carey Bond, Jo

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