Matinee idol George Clooney will headline a special one-night-only engagement of “8“ in March with proceeds to benefit the American Foundation for Equal Rights. The play by Dustin Lance Black uses actual trial transcripts the bring alive the historic court case in California that overturned Proposition 8, the divisive ballot measure denying gay men and lesbians the right to marry.
“It is astonishing that gay and lesbian Americans are still treated as second-class citizens. I am confident that, very soon, the laws of this nation will reflect the basic truth that gay and lesbian people—like all human beings—are born equal in dignity and rights,” said Clooney.
The engagement is set for March 3, 2012 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre.
Clooney is onscreen now in “The Descendants,” for which he received a SAG Awards nomination this morning, and “The Ides of March,” which he co-wrote and directed. Rob Reiner will direct the benefit production. Black won an Oscar for his screenplay for “Milk” about the civil rights activist Harvey Milk.
“Opponents of Proposition 8 have called on the court to unseal the video of the federal trial for the public to see,” notes HollywoodReporter.com. “A ruling is expected soon. In the meantime, the limited showing of ‘8’ will have to suffice.”
A star-packed production of “Prop 8” was staged in New York City in September featuring Bob Balaban, Ellen Barkin, Matt Bomer, Morgan Freeman, Christine Lahti, Cheyenne Jackson, John Lithgow, Yeardley Smith and Bradley Whitford under the direction of Joe Mantello.
“This play will continue to show Americans—one by one—that prejudice and fear cannot stand up to truth and justice. Our Constitution neither knows nor tolerates the treatment of gays and lesbians as second-class cititzens,” said AFER President Chad Griffin.
“To me, this is an educational outreach tool,” Black said in an earlier interview. “It’s important that people know the arguments on both sides as this case makes its way to the Supreme Court.”
“I’ve been an advocate for women’s rights all my life, and gay Americans are I think the last minority not granted equal rights under the law,” said Lahti. “I think theater has the power to make people think about their prejudices, and a play like this can help effect change. I’m honored to have been a part of it.”
CLICK HERE for the official “Prop 8” Twitter feed.