Photographic Exhibit Accompanies Dustin Lance Black's '8' at Plan-B Theatre, 8/4-5

See what happens when discrimination is put on trial in the Utah premiere of 8, a docudrama inspired by the passage (and overturning) of Proposition 8.

Staged by Plan-B on the two-year anniversary - to the day! - of the events in the play, 8 is the real-life story of Kris & Sandy and Paul & Jeff, two loving couples who want to get married but can’t.

Written by Academy Award-winner Dustin Lance Black (Milk), 8 is based on the actual Perry trial transcripts, first-hand observations of the courtroom drama and interviews with the plaintiffs and their families.

As 8 flashes in and out of thecourtroom, watch both sides present the best evidence, arguments and witnesses for and against marriage for gay and lesbian Americans, and see how the case affects the plaintiffs and their families. A post-show discussion about next steps on the local and federal level – featuring playwright Dustin Lance Black and Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass), moderated by Brandie Balken (Equality Utah) – follows each performance.

8 is a celebration of Plan-B’s commitment to unique and socially conscious theatre, 25 percent of ticket sales will benefit the American Foundation for Equal Rights (sponsor of the Perry case); the balance will help fund Plan-B's 2012/13 season.

The Cast: Bill Allred, Tobin Atkinson, Kirt Bateman, Matthew Ivan Bennett, Kim Blackett, Daisy Blake, Anita Booher, Jason Bowcutt, Reed Cowan, April Fossen, Mark Fossen, JoNathan Scott McBride, Jay Perry, Topher Rasmussen, Teresa Sanderson, Aaron Swenson, Logan Tarantino, Jason Tatom and Sarah Young. Directed by Jerry Rapier.

A photographic display by Jim Ready will be on display in the lobby throughout the performances.

Plan-B Theatre Company is honored to show 16 of Jim Ready’s photographs on August 4-5 in the lobby of the Jeanne Wagner Theatre at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. The exhibit focuses on gay civil rights and marriage equality movement, political and artistic photographs grouped together in honor of marriage equality, retirement of Congressman Barney Frank and the work of Jim Ready.

Jim Ready was born and raised in Tewksbury, Massachusetts and now resides in Ogunquit, Maine. Jim is a photographer and owner of and awning and sail company in Ogunquit. Jim married his longtime partner, Congressman Barney Frank, on July 7, 2012. In his work, Jim looks for the overlooked.

Dustin Lance Black's 8 will be presenTed August 4, 2012 at 8pm and August 5, 2012 at 2pm at the Jeanne Wagner Theatre at the Rose Wagner, 138 W 300 S, SLC.

Cash bar | $25 (reserved seating) | planbtheatre.org or 801-355-ARTS

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