What a terrific dialogue from Lincoln Center. It was a 'conversation' we would have loved in SLO, but didn't have Netta Oulabi to get things rolling and twitters from all around the world to question us.  I indeed felt I had become another part of the dialogue.  I must say of all the times I have cried during this production,  it was Judy Shepard acknowledging that the Hate Crime bill had made the next leg in legislation, one that seems like a done deal.

   "We shall overcome, one day.

     Deep in my heart, I do believe

     That we shall overcome one day!!"

      If you build it, they will come! And they did - 500-600 strong. In  this conservative Central Coast area, that is pretty darn good.  The audience listened intently. Things gelled for all of us with that audience.  The talk back was limited. I had glanced over the info on the site, but apparently, the moderator hadn't.   As we gathered after the show, many of the actors thought there had been only 2 questions/comment, because the audience was still absorbing and in shock.

       One question we asked one another was: WHere will be in another 10 years. My feeling is we will have made our way through with the gay rights. Tolerance will still be an issue - always, But I feel there will be so many bigger issues to deal with on our planet, this one will resolve, must resolve inorder for us to confront our stewardship on this earth.

       I always remember some book I read. It talked about people who come together in the next life , be that Heaven, or whereever we go. The fathers and sons who had fought, the Bill O'Reilly's and the Matthew Shepards of the earth, they all look upon one another and with a hug, say, "We are so wonderful! And we acted so foolishly."  That will be a day to celebrate, and I think I may live to see it manifest. Onward!

        After work, I will get around to commenting on other blogs. Seems like all of us are journaling to ourselves!

       First of all, San Luis Obispo is a very conservative place. During the past election, on the Cal Poly campus - even! - John  McCain's   presence eclipsed Obama by leaps and bounds.  I told my gay friend at work that The Epilogue was happening, that it was  FREE!!! (we're all getting laid off from the State of California) and I am uncertain if she will show. A few of my friends will show to support 'performance', but this play is nothing about performance and everything about awareness. The venue can seat 982. I just don't know how many will come.

       My awareness -- Hmm.  In 1999, in the midst of a divorce, I confess I better remember the hate crime, earlier that summer.  where the guy was dragged from the back of a pick up truck.  I was in NYC right after Stonewall and my gay activist times were at their peak then. Prop 8 has reignited the flame somewhat. And I now teach in the California prison system (that's a limited term) and of all things important, tolerance is my topic.  Since becoming involved in The Epilogue, I am delving into the archives, and finding Judy Shepard getting under my skin.  Laramie's reaction 10 years later so smacks of the entire country, the malaise we seem to be experiencing about - everything!

        So it is curious the specifics of this - the microcosm so reflecting the macrocosm. Isn't the health care debate like this too??  I would that the script had more straight voices like my own. Because I believe for a core of us, "things have changed at the human level, at the the grassroots level." We do believe in equality for ALL. It will be something really miraculous if the "Matthew Shepard Act" becomes law by Monday. It seems pretty darn close. 

        Special thanks to Leigh Fondakowski for two workshop days! I really felt like we were on the forefront when she appeared.  It was most enlightening 'moment work". I am now better undertanding contemporary theatre.