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CORVALLIS - An ensemble cast will provide a stirring examination of the brutal murder of college student Matthew Shepard when Oregon State University's University Theatre presents its version of the critically acclaimed play, "The Laramie Project."

The play will run Nov. 13-15 and Nov. 20-22 on OSU's Withycombe Hall main stage beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $9 for adults, $6 for seniors and $5 for students.

Post-show discussions will be held after the performances on Friday, Nov. 14, and Friday, Nov. 21, led by various OSU organizations. The Nov. 21 performance will have narrative description alternatives for the visually impaired and sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired.

The play is designed for mature audiences and contains language that some may find objectionable.

The script for "The Laramie Project" was developed by Moises Kaufman and his acting troupe, the Tectonic Theatre Project, who traveled to Laramie, Wyo., six times to interview more than 200 people about the murder of Shepard. A college student at the University of Wyoming, Shepard died in 1998 after he was severely beaten, tied to a fence on the outskirts of town, and left to die. He was assaulted because he was gay.

The play has received rave reviews from Time magazine, Associated Press and others. In the OSU production, 12 actors will tackle more than 80 roles, depicting University of Wyoming students, faculty and administrators, as well as local mechanics, bartenders, ranchers and police.

Members of the ensemble include Bryce D. Bumgarner, Emily Chovanec, John Clemson, Ethan Demarest, Clinton Downs, Rob Hazel, Beth Mannion, Allison Miller, Bob Simons, Angie Weeks, Helen West, and Kim Wilson. West is an exchange student from Lancaster University in Great Britain.

Also in the cast are the Rev. John Henderson, of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Corvallis, and Rev. William McCarthy and Rev. Wes Sedlacek of Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in Corvallis. They will portray Father Roger Schmit, the Catholic priest in Laramie who organized a vigil for Shepard.

The OSU production is directed by Charlotte Headrick. Michael Todd Backus is stage manager, and Amy Edwards, assistant to the director. New OSU faculty member George Caldwell designed the sets and lighting, and Barbara Mason is costume director.

The box office in Withycombe is open from noon to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and at 6:45 p.m. on performance nights. For more ticket information, call 541-737-2784.