Overtime Theater to stage Dustin Lance Black's "8"
QSanAntonio.com, February 1, 2012

The Overtime Theater in San Antonio announced that it will present a staged reading of Dustin Lance Black's new play "8" which chronicles the federal trial to overturn Proposition 8 which stripped gay and lesbian Californians of the right to marry.

The Overtime is one of a full slate of colleges and community theaters across the US that have been licensed to produce the reading in association with the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which argued the case against Prop 8 in court, and Broadway Impact.

Black, who penned the Academy Award-winning feature film "Milk" and the new critically-acclaimed film "J. Edgar," based “8” on the actual words of the trial transcripts, first-hand observations of the courtroom drama and interviews with the plaintiffs and their families.

The story for “8” is framed by the trial’s historic closing arguments in June 2010, and features the best arguments and testimony from both sides.  Scenes include flashbacks to some of the more jaw-dropping moments of trial, such as the admission by the Proposition 8 supporters’ star witness, David Blankenhorn, that “we would be more American on the day we permitted same-sex marriage than we were on the day before.”

The play had it's sold-out Broadway world premiere on September 29, 2011 in New York and raised over $1 million for AFER. A Los Angeles production an all-star cast featuring Academy Award winner George Clooney is set for March 3.

In making the play available for wide release, Black, who is a founding board member of AFER, says he wants to wants to spur action, dialog and understanding.

“People need to witness what happened in the Proposition 8 trial, if for no other reason than to see inequality and discrimination unequivocally rejected in a court of law where truth and facts matter,” says Black.  “The goal of ‘8’ is to show the world that marriage equality is a basic constitutional right. The facts are on our side and truth always finds the light."

Black lived in San Antonio until the age of 13 and mentioned his boyhood in the city during his acceptance speech at the Academy Awards ceremony on February 22, 2009.

The San Antonio reading will be directed by the Overtime's Matthew Byron Cassi who says that he will be staging the one-night-only production at Trinity University's 500-seat Steiren Theater. All proceeds from the performance will benefit AFER.

"As a member of San Antonio’s LGBT community, I am extremely passionate about getting people in Texas talking about this hot button issue," says Cassi. "Marriage should be a human right, not a heterosexual privilege. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to tell this story and fight for marriage equality."

Cassi says he hopes to reach out to every theater company in town and the LGBT community to work on the production. The play calls for a cast of 23 actors and there is a need for a tech crew, designers, etc. The date of the production has not yet been set but Cassi says that an August performance is being contemplated for the fundraiser.

"If you know anyone who has an interest in sponsoring, donating or volunteering for this production please contact me," says Cassi. His email is mcassi@gmail.com.

Click here for ongoing information about the production of "8" in San Antonio.

Launching a new season at the Overtime
Photos by Antonia Padilla, QSanAntonio.com, September 29, 2011

The Overtime Theater, the only theater in San Antonio to offer original works by local and Texas playwrights, held its second annual Theater for the People Party on September 24 at the Blue Star Brewing Company.

The evening featured a silent auction, door prizes and a cabaret show featuring many of the Overtime's repertoire of original works. Producers also announced their slate of new productions for the 2012 season, including "DOA: A Noir Musical," which opens on September 30.

The Overtime Theater produces approximately 8 new full-length plays every year, and has received recognition and awards. In both 2010 and 2011, the Overtime Theater was selected by the San Antonio Current as the “Best Theater Company” in its annual Readers’ Choice Poll.

For more information check out Overtime's web site.