Seen and Heard: REP's 8

Readers know that I am a bit of a booster for Raleigh Ensemble Players (REP) and their "provocative, powerful, and penetrating" theatrical productions. Perhaps my love of their work (fan-boy) is due to my penchant for Modernist (difficult) literature, my brief history on the stage (high school), or my firm belief that every life is a musical (I hear your music). No matter, last night's dramatic reading of Dustin Lance Black's 8 moved me to tears, spontaneous applause, and a new insight into a difficult and often divisive subject. The script was tight, the characters human, the direction spot on, and the talent - simply unbelievable. The cream of our rich, diverse theater community was on display delivering a one-night-only performance that was close to perfection. 

On its most basic level, the play was taken from the transcripts of the federal court challenge to the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8, which revoked the rights of same-sex couples from marrying. Think Law and Order, without the murder, but with all the human drama, the courtroom arguments, the complainants' back stories, and the media - all honestly and artfully portrayed as recorded in the official record.

This work should be required viewing for all North Carolinians before entering the ballot box to vote on this very same issue - ironically on May 8th. I can only hope that the first amendment to our constitution will not be one intended to single out a group of people in order to deny them civil rights and basic dignities surrounding the most personal, private, and joyous aspect of their lives. Most people are unaware that one of the rights slaves gained upon emancipation was the right to marry. Several freedmen wrote that this right was among the most cherished, proving that they were indeed free.

And, as hard as it is to believe today, it was only 40 years ago that it was illegal in some states for inter-racial couples to marry. It is obvious that the institution of marriage continues to evolve from arranged marriages to business relationships to romantic love matches benefiting those who choose to participate. As stated in last night's closing argument: "We will all be more American the day after same-sex marriage is recognized as a legal and basic right than we were the day before."

The polls are now open for early voting.
Vote early - vote often.