Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays Returns to Largo

Producers Joan Stein and Stuart Ross announced today that STANDING ON CEREMONY: THE GAY MARRIAGE PLAYS returns by popular demand to Largo at the Coronet (366 N. La Cienega Blvd.) in West Hollywood. Conceived and directed by Brian Shnipper, STANDING ON CEREMONY was created to raise money and awareness in support of marriage equality. This funny, provocative evening of new plays brings together some of America's most acclaimed and award-winning playwrights including JorDan Harrison (Doris to Darlene), Jeffrey Hatcher (Tuesdays with Morrie), Moisés Kaufman (The Laramie Project), Neil LaBute (Reasons to Be Pretty), Wendy MacLeod (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). The creative team has come together to make a difference in this urgent political, civil rights issue of marriage equality throughout the United States; resulting in this new and engaging theatrical event. STANDING ON CEREMONY will play a series of Monday nights beginning March 28, 2011 through June 20, 2011.

Leading the cast for March 28 are Peri Gilpin (Frasier), Richard Kind (A Serious Man), Wendie Malick (Hot in Cleveland), Kathy Najimy (Kathy and Mo) and Jean Smart (Samantha Who?). Full casting for each performance will be announced at later dates

Since the debut of STANDING ON CEREMONY, a veritable batallion of actors have been performing in this funny, stirring and insightful evening. Past casts have included Mathew Broderick, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Bradley Whitford, Alfre Woodard, Debra Monk, Jason Alexander, Judd Hirsch, Hamish Linklater, Jon Tenney, Amy Brenneman, Deborah Messing, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Julie Hagerty, Jason Ritter, Hamish Linklater, Camryn Manheim, Rachael Harris and more.

"We scheduled a handful of performances earlier this year, but Los Angeles has firmly embraced this rallying theatrical event, and the overwhelming response has demanded these additional dates," said producer Joan Stein. "Since the first shows, the urgency of the issue has compelled more writers to add their voices to the evening, allowing us to continue to collect newly written pieces. Currently, the evening consists of nine short plays. We will have newer pieces rotate in and out with the original ones as issues and legislation regarding marriage equality evolve."

Producer Stuart Ross added, "We are thrilled by the response that we've received by Los Angeles audiences and are glad to be back at Largo." Ross said, "We need a forum in the city. We love what these plays say. STANDING ON CEREMONY is very alive and current because we keep investing the evening with new words, when we can. The words of the playwrights are the stars and all the craft of the talented theatre professionals is used to celebrate and serve those words."

A portion of the net proceeds from STANDING ON CEREMONY will benefit the work of the LA Gay & Lesbian Center to build majority support for same sex marriage both locally in LA and nationally. Recent performances benefitted the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Equality California.

To encourage dialogues between audiences, writers, actors and organizations, STANDING ON CEREMONY invites the audience to a "wedding reception" with wedding cake and chat immediately after each performance. A registry is also available for people to write comments and to learn about ways they can make a difference through contributions and volunteer opportunities for various marriage equality organizations.

Producing team for STANDING ON CEREMONY: THE GAY MARRIAGE PLAYS includes producers Joan Stein and Stuart Ross, and associate producer Allain Rochel.

STANDING ON CEREMONY plays at Largo at the Coronet (366 N. La Cienega Blvd.) in West Hollywood. The series of Monday nights are March 28, April 4 and 25, May 9 and 23, and June 6 and 20. All performances begin at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $35.00 and $50.00 and are available online at StandingOnCeremony.net. For general information call Largo at 310-855-0350. Valet parking is available and there is ample street parking. For additional information or for casting updates visit www.StandingOnCeremony.net.

Photo Credit: BWW-Staff