8
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5.0 • 12 Ratings
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- $5.99
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
An unconstitutional proposition.
An unprecedented decision.
An all-star cast.
Starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Martin Sheen, 8 is written by Academy Award winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk, J. Edgar) and directed by acclaimed actor and director Rob Reiner.
The play is a powerful account of the case filed by the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) in the U.S. District Court in 2010 to overturn Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment that eliminated the rights of same-sex couples to marry in the state of California. Framed around the trial's historic closing arguments in June 2010, 8 provides an intimate look what unfolded when the issue of same-sex marriage was on trial.
A full-cast performance featuring:
George Clooney as David Boies
Brad Pitt as Chief Judge Vaughn Walker
Martin Sheen as Theodore B. Olson
Kevin Bacon as Charles Cooper
Jamie Lee Curtis as Sandy Stier
Christine Lahti as Kris Perry
John C. Reilly as David Blankenhorn
Jane Lynch as Maggie Gallagher
Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Dr. Ilan Meyer
Matthew Morrison as Paul Katami
Chris Colfer as Ryan Kendall
Yeardley Smith as Dr. Nancy Cott
Matt Bomer as Jeff Zarrillo
George Takei as Dr. William Tam
Rory O’Malley as Dr. Gregory Herek
Cleve Jones as Evan Wolfson
James Pickens, Jr. as Dr. Gary Segura
Jansen Panettiere as Elliott Perry
Bridger Zadina as Spencer Perry
Vanessa Garcia as Clerk
Campbell Brown as Broadcast Journalist
Directed by Rob Reiner. Recorded before a live audience at the Wilshire Ebell Theater, Los Angeles, on March 3, 2012.
Customer Reviews
Profound and Necessary...
If you only listen to one play this year, "8" should be it. This performance uses as its basic framework the actual words from the trial (American Federation for Equal Rights effort in US District Court to overturn Proposition 8 in 2010). Given broadcasting of the actual trial itself was banned, this convention could not be more profound. Working within the constraint of condensing 3 weeks of trial materials into just over 2 hours of cogently presented, brilliantly performed theatre, the issues surrounding gay marriage were given voice in highly nuanced performances that I believe could not help but move the listener to embrace their own humanity in coming to terms with gay marriage themselves. As with all the best theatre, there are comedic moments sidling up against those which are heartbreakingly poignant, and moments in which the truth of why equal rights to marriage by all citizens of this country matters deeply shine irrefutably. Money and time spent listening to this is an investment in becoming a better citizen.
Must hear
I don't say must listen, because that's a given. The message and beauty of this play is a *must hear*. The world must hear this. Everyone needs to hear this reading and know what a farce the anti same-sex marriage crowd actually is. Add to that amazing performances by award-winning actors, and I don't know why this hasn't gotten more buzz. Just all-around amazing.