post-gazette.com: For Rory O'Malley, Tony nominee for Broadway's "The Book of Mormon," elation over the election of Barack Obama in 2008 was immediately tempered by the disappointment over the passage of California's anti-gay marriage Proposition 8. At Carnegie Mellon University Monday night, he said of Prop 8: "I will look back at it as the most horrible thing that ever happened, yet it inspired us to action. It awakened a generation."
7 comments:
To use anger as a source of inspiration is very powerful and, most often, successful. It is completely necessary to perform a reading like this, even if it is just “preaching to the choir”. Rory knows his audience and he understands that in most of his performances, he will be telling the people what they already know. Talking about the reading in class, we learned that there were a few readings that were done in the south. I can’t imagine every audience being inspired or agreeing with the show but at least they came out to see it. When that happens, it is very interesting because you have to wonder why they went to see the show in the first place. It is curious and at the same time, a little wonderful, that others can openly hear an argument and be able to disagree, hopefully respectfully. There is a movement towards gay equality happening right now, whether anyone likes it or not. This reading will only contribute to the overall footprints leading to marriage of the same sex and to an overall sense of equality, regardless of who agrees with it or not.
I found the reading of "8" to be a beautiful performance by some of CMU's most talented students and faculty. Although the show was touching and effective, I do agree with the fact that the performance was "preaching to the choir". It was amazing to see alum Rory O'Malley return to be apart of bringing this production to CMU and it was also nice to see the collaboration efforts of all the students and faculty involved. Congratulations to all of those involved. I hope that readings of this show will continue and help to get the piece noticed.
I wasn't able to see this, but I think it's incredible that a piece of this weight came to CMU. Sometimes as I wander aimlessly through the halls of Carnegie Mellon University it hits me! " This is CMU!" The collaboration that came out of this, by the entire school of Drama is outstanding. CMU is a wonderful location to bring this topic as well. Gay equality shoud be spread loud and clear! PREACH RORY.
I loved "8". I thought it was the perfect mix of politics and theater. It is amazing what Rory said in the talk back about how the footage from the trial was never released and that the trial was so amazing. In the courtroom the opposing side literally said that they did not need to have any evidence to prove their point. This play was the perfect way to tell people exactly what was going on. Because so little was published it is nice to know exactly what happened with the case, and I think having it in a theatrical setting makes it about sharing this message with people who need to know, who are fighting on the side of good. Being in California when Prop 8 was going on was really interesting but it was mostly disheartening. I remember first being told that prop 8 was going to be on the ballot by a ACLU worker at a music festival and thinking that it would never pass. I actually argued with the lady who was trying to recruit people to work for the no on 8 campaign, saying that something like that would never pass in California, that San Fransisco had already made it legal and my gay teacher had been married and that they didn't need to worry. Banning Gay Marriage, plain and simple limits rights. When did our country become about limiting freedom? I always thought it was the opposite!
Proposition 8 is a black spot on californias history and i am hopefully for the day that it becomes a distant memory of a mistake. The propaganda that came with the proposition disgusted me to see what our society was still capable of, seeing campaign commercials that consisted of "prop 8 passes and your children will be forced to be taught about gay marriage in school" "prop 8 passes and churches will be forced to perform gay marriages" "keep the integrity of the meaning of family" at 7 in the morning i would be driving to school and find a group of family with their 3 year olds holding a sign that says "prop 8 will ruin the modern family"
unfortunately i was unable to see the reading but Im happy this play was written, it will give the chance for the rest of the world and the country to see what it was like to have to deal with that mistake
Although I didn't get the chance to see this, I'm really happy that the reading was done here. This was such a monumental case for the country that would change the outlook on gay marriage. Of course no big change like that would come easy, so a dramatic reading of what went on inside that courtroom is an extremely appropriate format to bring the public into the goings on that led to the decision to pass Prop 8. It also gave current students, alum, and even teachers a chance to collaborate on a project and really showcase CMU talent.
I have heard a plethora of positive feedback regarding the reading of "8" that occurred at CMU last Monday. I was heartbroken that I could not attend, as I am a California resident and had firsthand experience with how Prop. 8 effected the state and the people in it. I distinctly remember that voting day, discussing the topic with my mother on the drive to school, and anxiously waiting for the results to roll in. And then that awful feeling the next day - it felt as if the entire state was shell-shocked. I am so glad that "8" is getting that feeling out there, sharing the pain of having a privilege being snatched from you by people who have should have no right to do so.
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