The Associated Press covers the national launch of “8″:

“For anyone who missed the star-studded, one-night-only Broadway debut of the gay marriage play “8″ or can’t get to Los Angeles this spring to see George Clooney lead a West Coast version, there’s hope: The play is coming to a theater near you.

“The only bad news – no Clooney.

“The pro-gay marriage American Foundation for Equal Rights and partner Broadway Impact are sponsoring dozens of productions of Dustin Lance Black’s play starring local actors across the country this election year. It’ll be shown in states where marriage battles loom, including Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire and North Carolina.

“Adam Umhoefer, the foundation’s project director, said the glitzy Broadway show and upcoming California counterpart help fund getting the play mounted elsewhere. “Those big tent-pole shows bring attention to the play so that all these other groups across the country can work on their productions,” he said.

The play is mostly culled from the transcripts of the 2010 federal court battle that dealt with the legality of Proposition 8, the ballot initiative that outlawed same-sex marriage in California.

…

“More than 40 readings are scheduled from now until November in more than 17 states so far. It will be produced by colleges such as Stanford University in California, Towson University in Maryland and the University of Toledo in Ohio to theater companies such as the Uptown Players in Dallas and the American Repertory Theatre outside Boston. It will also be included in the Williamstown Theatre Festival and Oregon Shakespeare Festival.”

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