Paly’s Haymarket Theater will open its doors Friday and Saturday nights for the last two shows of its spring production The Laramie Project, an emotionally draining show centered upon the murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay university student in Laramie, Wyoming.

Unlike other performances shown in the Haymarket Theater that end with an immediate applause before the lights dim, the audience Friday night remained silent until the lights returned for the cast to take their bow.

Rather than tell the story of Matthew Shepard’s death in a traditional manner, the Tectonic Theater Project traveled to Laramie a month after his death and compiled interviews and their personal journal entries to form the screenplay. The play is unique in the way that it is presented on stage; it is the thoughts and reflections of characters being spoken to the audience in an order that reflects the Tectonic Theater Project’s experiences in Laramie, as well as piecing together the murder and its aftermath.

Paly’s ensemble cast performed exceptionally well, with each person portraying at least two characters, and some even play six different people. However, a narrator, played by Laurie Nordlund, as well as quick costume changes and accent alterations prevent the audience from getting too confused. Seniors Ruthie Ryan, Mika Ben-Shaul, Ali Aram, Alex Rose-Henig and juniors Alice Wertheimer and Marc Leclerc, are just a few of the many cast members who give memborable performances in each of their characters. Leclerc’s rendition of the Shepard’s family wishes regarding the death penalty for alledged murderer Russell Henderson moved some to tears.

In a prior interview with The Paly Voice, Paly director Kathleen Woods said, “It truly is an ensemble piece.” No description could be more accurate. Some character changes require a complete transformation of mindset for the actor. For example, Alex Nee gives a moving performance as the student who found Shepard’s body, then returns to the stage in an orange jumpsuit as Henderson.

What is most remarkable about this production is that the story is told through the inhabitants of the town, instead of a regurgitation of the sensationalist media coverage that the event received. The entire cast brings an air of humanity to the stage, expressing the impact of the murder on their views of homosexuality and homophobia.

Junior Grace Morrison’s portrayal of Reggie Fluty, the police officer who responded to the emergency call when Shepard was found, is enchanting; the audience cannot help but be enthralled with her story, as the impact that it had on her personal life was remarkable.

The talented cast carries the show from the beginning to end. The narrator introduces interviews and excerpts, skillfully weaving the story together with smooth transitions, and effective use of lighting. A screen is present in the background of the simple set, showing slides depicting significant locations of the crime, including the fence where Shepard was found. The screen is not overwhelming, and thus does not detract from the performances.

The Laramie Project covers the year from the date of Shepard’s murder, October 6, 1998, to the sentencing of Aaron McKinny and Russell Henderson. The play is not one-sided; interviews with people who knew the McKinny and Henderson are incorporated into the screenplay.

While dealing with the issues of hate, fear, and forgiveness, The Laramie Project focuses on the question of why an event so horrific would happen. It is a question that many characters attempt to address, but in the end, it is never fully answered. Viewers are left to grapple with the same questions that troubled the members of the Laramie community.

Because the play deals with such intense issues, a panel-led discussion is offered after the first and last performance. The Laramie Project will be performed March 13 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Haymarket Theater. Tickets are $7 for students and $10 for adults, and the play is about two-and-a half-hours long.