'Laramie' to attract opposition

This afternoon, the cast and crew of "The Laramie Project" are gearing up for the performance. But at the same time, theater staff, the IU Police Department and anti-gay activists are also preparing for reactionary protests surrounding the controversial play. \n"The Laramie Project," a docu-drama, written by Moises Kaufman, details the 1998 fatal beating of openly-gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyo.\n"We will have people at the theater," said IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger. "We have officers at every performance to maintain traffic flow and assist pedestrians in and out of the theater. We are aware of the issues surrounding the project."\nBut IUPD won't be devoting more officers than usual to the protest.\n"We're not having more people there," Minger said. "All officers that will be attending regularly will be appraised of the situation. Both factions have also been appraised of how the situation will be handled."\nIf protesters or anti-protesters break the law by impeding traffic or by disrupting a performance they would be in violation of state law, and would be removed or arrested, Minger said.\nIU Theatre Director Dale McFadden said the play should raise some issues.\n"People have the legal right to protest whatever they want, provided they stay within the law," he said. "My concern is to make sure audiences have a safe experience. This is a play that should stir people up, raise issues and make people think about what happened in Wyoming."\nTen or 15 protesters are expected to be in attendance, including Pastor Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan. Phelps is being portrayed in "The Laramie Project" as a character because he protested at Shepard's funeral.\n"Our group travels in groups of 10 to 15," said Shirley Phelps-Roper, Fred Phelps' daughter and attorney for Westboro Church. "I'm expecting counter-protesters."\nAlong with members of the congregation, Phelps travels around the country attending anti-gay protests. The church protests every production of "The Laramie Project," Phelps-Roper said, as well as attends hundreds of anti-gay rallies a year. \n"The street ministry, on average, has people out there every day," Phelps-Roper said. "On average, we take long trips two times a week. We'll be in North Carolina later in April, and we've been all over Missouri, Nebraska and Colorado."\nPhelps-Roper said the protests are a warning to the country.\n"This nation calls itself a Christian nation," she said. "That means they use the Bible as a proof text. We can pretend times change, but here's the verse -- 'I am the Lord, I change not.' (Malachi 3:6) … Here's where the nation is today: we're sitting postured exactly like ancient Judah. They've flipped off God all these years, and it's too late."\n"We've been there every time they play 'The Laramie Project.' Let each person who (buys a ticket) hear those words stand in judgment before God and explain why they didn't heed the warnings."\nMcFadden said he anticipates Phelps will try to make his side apparent at the protests. \n"He's a character in the play," McFadden said of Phelps. "I can only assume he feels that his side needs to be heard as much as the play. He feels he must present another side -- to what, I'm not sure."\nThe performances will take place April 1 through April 3, and the protests are scheduled to run concurrent with the performance dates.\nThe Westboro Baptist Church will protest the Laramie Project outside the Wells-Metz Theater April 1 through 3.