Standing On Ceremony consists of nine, 10-minute plays written by a variety of very well-known playwrights on topics and issues surrounding gay marriage, performed in a staged-reading format by local performers.

The playwrights whose short plays are featured in the Standing On Ceremony anthology are Heideman Award winner Jordan Harrison, Pulitzer Prize winner and Tony Award nominee Moisés Kaufman, Obie and Cable Ace Award winner Mo Gaffney, Tony Award nominee Neil LaBute, Sundance Jury Prize winner Wendy McLeod, Obie Award winner José Rivera, Obie and Outer Critics Circle Award winner Paul Rudnick, and Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Doug Wright.

Click here, to learn more about the playwrights.

The short plays that make up Standing On Ceremony are:

• The Revision by Jordan Harrison, an amusing look at how two men might rewrite their vows to more accurately reflect the limited options available to a gay couple.
  
• This Flight Tonight by Wendy MacLeod, which asks if there is any hope for happiness when a lesbian marriage begins in Iowa
  
• The Gay Agenda by Paul Rudnick, a sadly hilarious plea for understanding by an Ohio homemaker and member of Focus on the Family.
  
• On Facebook by Doug Wright, adapted from an actual Facebook thread chronicling one long fight among friends on the subject of gay marriage.
  
• Strange Fruit by Neil LaBute, the story of two men in love whose plans to get married “the old-fashioned way” are stymied when reality rears its ugly head.
  
• A Traditional Wedding by Mo Gaffney, a long-married lesbian couple reminisce about their wedding.
  
• My Husband by Paul Rudnick, which puts a hilarious gay twist on the stereotype of the Jewish mother desperate to marry off her children.
  
• London Mosquitoes by Moisés Kaufman, a poignant story in which a widower tries to make sense of the loss of his longtime lover.
  
• Pablo and Andrew at the Altar of Words by José Rivera, a moving play about two men who use their marriage vows to “say the things we never really say.”

THE FULL COLLECTION OF PLAYS INCLUDED IN THE PRODUCTION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Standing On Ceremony is the brainchild of Los Angeles’ Brian Shnipper who began producing it in 2009, as a series of benefit events.  Casting is underway, but will feature a variety of revolving local actors. Artists Rep has partnered with Basic Rights Oregon, who will be the beneficiary of a portion of the production's proceeds. Wedding cake will be provided for all.

"It was one of those magical nights in the theatre: a confluence of activism, sterling talent, and magnificent playwriting, made all the more joyous by the palpable sense of abundant generosity and community spirit. One hopes that Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays will become a mainstay of regional theatre long after gay marriage is legally recognized..." - Tony Frankel, Theatre Los Angeles

"...fantastic, funny, thought-provoking...allfrank discussions about the issue of marriage equality." Byron Beck participated in the one-night November performance of Standing On Ceremony. Read what else he had to say about the evening here.

"This compelling collection of personal stories is a powerful way to open up the conversation on why marriage matters. Basic Rights Oregon is proud to be working with Artists Rep to shine the light on this issue through this presentation that will undoubtedly change hearts and minds."  - Juan Martinez, Development Director, Basic Rights Oregon