[NEohioPAL] A Review of Heads Up Productions The Laramie Project

[Jeff Holland]

Originally, Mike & Ike were going to handle this review.  They haven't been on here for awhile and I knew it would annoy some people, but they are busy working on the next episode of their UK radio series (True) so I guess it's up to me.

I've neither done nor seen a play in quite some time.  Part of the reason is that I've been working on my own projects, but a large part of it is simply most of the shows done in this area I'd already either seen to death or been in and most of the new stuff I'd tried came across as pretentious crap.

In my opinion.

I've seen The Laramie Project.  I've done The Laramie Project.  I remember when Matthew Sheppard died.  I don't need to re-experience this.  However, I've worked with the director of this new production, India NewYorkbound Burton, and I love her to death so last night I went to the First Grace United Church of Christ in Akron and got a little of my love of theatre back.

Everyone knows what the play is about, so I'm going to focus on the acting.  Miss Burton has brought together an AMAZING cast, most of whom I've never seen before.  !0 people playing multiple roles, oftentimes changing characters onstage.  I've had to do this before, and it is a major pain, and these guys pulled it off phenomenally.  You believe every single one of these characters.

Everyone in the show is stellar, but I have to give a shout out to Greg Grimes, who is much better than a high school senior should be, and TJ Jozsa who has two moments, one where he doesn't say a word, that blew me away.

This is only India's third production as director, the first that I've seen, and it's obvious she knows what she's doing.  If you haven't seen The Laramie Project before, this is a show that needs to be seen, and if you have, again, this is a show that needs to be seen.

It runs the 19th through the 21st 

And it almost makes me want to do a show again.

First Grace United Church of Christ is located at 350 South Portage Path (Off West Exchange Street) Tickets are $5.00  Call 330-990-5138 for information



      
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