Letter: Come explore '8' with us

To the Editor:

Red Wing PFLAG — Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays — and the Red Wing Soapbox Players are collaborating to present the play “8” Saturday Sept. 8 at the Sheldon Theatre.

One year ago the play “8” written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Land Black premiered on Broadway. It follows the legal court fight to over-turn Proposition 8, the California law that “eliminates the rights of same-sex couples to marry.” The play premiered in March in California with Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Martin Sheen, Kevin Bacon, Jane Lynch and other Hollywood stars in the cast.

Members of Red Wing PFLAG almost immediately began to explore bringing a production of “8” to the Red Wing Sheldon Theatre.

PFLAG contacted Red Wing Soapbox Players and Sean Dowse at the Sheldon Theatre. Min Martin Oaks, from the Soapbox Players, agreed to direct the play at the Sheldon Theatre with Red Wing PFLAG helping with financing and promotion. This is the premier production of “8” in Minnesota.

The playwright uses actual text from the trial record and interviews to recreate the events of the United States District Court public trial. Both sides of the legal arguments are presented.

With the vote to define marriage in the Minnesota Constitution on the ballot in November, this play provides the audience an excellent opportunity to hear the arguments for and against the marriage amendment and make an informed decision on how to vote.

“8” will be performed at 7 p.m. Saturday Sept. 8 at the Sheldon Theatre. We invite you to join us at this relevant theatrical presentation.

Dan & Sandy Guida

Michelle Meyer

Red Wing

Dan & Sandy Guida are members of PFLAG.

Michelle Meyer is president of the Red Wing Soapbox Players.

Tags: opinion, letters