Yesterday afternoon David and I attended a theatrical reading/performance of The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later, An Epilogue which is a sequel of sorts to the critically acclaimed play The Laramie Project which chronicled the year after the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard took place in Laramie, WY. Laramie: 10 Years Later picks up 10 years after Shepard’s brutal murder and chronicles the ways Laramie has changed and not changed in that time. Yesterday’s performance took place at the Hollywood United Methodist Church and featured an all-star cast of players … Julie Benz (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dexter), Christian Clemenson (CSI: Miami), James Cromwell (Babe, The Queen), Lisa Edelstein (House, M.D.), Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory), Barrett Foa (NCIS: Los Angeles), Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory), Pauley Perrette (NCIS), Zachary Quinto (Heroes, Star Trek), Helen Shaver (The L Word), Michael Weatherly (NCIS). Here is a photo of the cast, taken by Richard Settle from the United Methodist Church, and an interview with actress Pauley Perrette about the performance:

NCIS’ Pauley Perrette and more of TV’s biggest stars are banding together for a one-time performance of The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later to benefit the Matthew Shepard Foundation and stand up for gay rights. The play is a sequel to The Laramie Project, which was based on the reactions of people in Laramie, Wyo., after Shepard, a 21-year-old gay college student, was murdered there in 1998. The new production revisits the townspeople a decade later and also portrays an interview with one of Shepard’s killers. The new play began performances across the country on Oct. 12. Perrette said she was approached by a member of her church, Hollywood United Methodist Church, about putting together a reading of the play there. Pretty soon, Perrette’s NCIS co-star Michael Weatherly, The Big Bang Theory’s Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki, House’s Lisa Edelstein, Dexter’s Julie Benz, Heroes’ Zachary Quinto and Emmy winner Christian Clemenson were all on board. “We have so many people from so many different shows, which is fun,” Perrette toldTVGuide.com. “Everyone we called was like, ‘I’m in.’ It’s really incredible. We’re just extremely excited, and it’s really amazing to have that many people come together to do something that’s important.” The reading is planned to coincide with a book signing and speaking appearance by Shepard’s mother, Judy. All proceeds go to benefit the Matthew Shepard Foundation, which promotes antiviolence toward the gay and lesbian community. Perrette, who describes herself as an “outspoken civil rights activist who never shuts up,” says it’s important for people to stand up and be heard. “With so much going on with Prop. 8 and everything else right now, LGBT civil rights activism is what’s most necessary,” Perrette said. “In the women’s movement, women needed men to stand up and say this isn’t right. In the civil rights of the ’60s, it took people of all color to demand equal rights. And in this case, it takes straight chicks like me to demand equal rights for everybody.” Perrette also said it is incumbent on the government to make changes. “I believe that what is legislated bleeds down into everything,” she says. “So if the legislation continues to uphold anything that doesn’t support equal rights and civil rights, that bleeds down into Matthew Shepard being murdered.” Coincidentally, moments after we interviewed Perrette, news broke that the Senate passed a hate-crimes amendment that was partly inspired by Shepard’s murder.

The performance yesterday was … stunning. I was not fully prepared for the emotion that overwhelmed me as I heard the works spoken on that stage. It’s pretty incredible to know that it’s been 10 years since Matthew Shepard was brutally murdered for being gay and so much remains unchanged in that time. I cannot for the life of me imagine what it must feel like to endure that kind of loss … hearing the words spoken from the people of Laramie really hit me hard. Kudos goes out to the cast and crew of this extremely powerful performance. I urge all of you to read The Laramie Project and, if possible, see a performance of The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later, An Epilogue and be reminded that hate crimes are still as prevalent in this country today as they were 10 years ago … and earlier. I’m encouraged that the Senate finally passed a hate crimes amendment … it is a great step forward in policing the safety and protection of all US citizens.

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Early this morning, at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre in North Hollywood, CA, the nominations for the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were announced by actors Chandra Wilson & Jim Parsons and Television Academy Chairman & CEO John Shaffner. While critics’ faves 30 Rock and Mad Men led the way with the most nominations this year, the animated series Family Guy received a nomination for Best Comedy Series … it is the first animated series to receive such an honor since The Flintstones back in 1961! Here are a few pics from this morning’s Emmy Awards nomination announcement and some deets about what went down:

The Emmy Awards smiled on some unlikely comedy series nominees Thursday morning, giving nominations to “Family Guy” and “Flight of the Conchords” and leaving out such mainstays as “Two and a Half Men.” “Family Guy,” the Fox series that muscled its way back on the air in 2005 after proving popular in reruns and on DVD, received just two nominations — but one of them was for best comedy series, making it just the second animated series to compete in the best comedy series category. Not even “The Simpsons” can claim that honor; the other animated series to receive a nomination was “The Flintstones” in 1961. “Flight of the Conchords,” the offbeat HBO series about two struggling musicians, received six nominations, including a nomination as best comedy series and another for star Jemaine Clement. (Co-star and musical partner Bret McKenzie must be wondering who he offended.) The series with the most nominations were “30 Rock,” which is up for 22 Emmys, and “Mad Men,” which earned 16 nods. Both were big winners last year, taking best comedy series and best drama, respectively. The HBO movie “Grey Gardens” earned 17 nominations. Though many of the nominations turned out as expected by handicappers, the awards did throw a few curves — mainly in what was left out. “Desperate Housewives,” whose actresses usually nab at least one nomination in the lead comedy actress category, was shut out in that field, as well as for best comedy series. In fact, the show earned just two nominations — one for a guest spot by Beau Bridges, the other for best hairstyling. America Ferrera, a former winner for best actress in a comedy, also failed to pick up a nomination. The show earned just two total. Also coming up empty in the major categories: “Grey’s Anatomy,” which failed to earn nominations for best drama, best actor in a drama or best actress in a drama. However, Chandra Wilson — who was one of the presenters Thursday morning — did pick up one of “Grey’s” five nods, for best supporting actress in a drama. Wilson also received a nomination for lead actress in a miniseries or movie for “Accidental Friendship.” Despite a push by critics and fans, “Battlestar Galactica” failed to place in any major categories. It did get five nominations, including one for directing. And in a sign that Emmy voters have already forgotten one-time powerhouses, two shows that ended with well-reviewed finales — “ER” and “Boston Legal” — received little credit from the television academy. “ER” earned just two nominations and “Boston Legal” received four. Another show ending a stellar run, “The Shield,” was shut out entirely. On the other hand, such performers as Sarah Silverman (“The Sarah Silverman Program”), Simon Baker (the breakout hit “The Mentalist”) and Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) all earned nominations … Still, the front-runners must be considered last year’s winners. “30 Rock” once again dominated the nominations, with picks for best comedy series, best actor in a comedy (Alec Baldwin) and best actress in a comedy (Tina Fey). Moreover, of the five nominations for outstanding writing for a comedy series, “30 Rock” received four. (The other went to “Flight of the Conchords.”) … “Mad Men,” last year’s best drama, picked up nominations for best drama, actor Jon Hamm and actress Elisabeth Moss. Its writers dominated in the same way as the “30 Rock” writers, with four of the five nominations for outstanding writing for a drama series; the fifth nod went to “Lost.” “The Amazing Race,” a regular winner among reality competitions, was once again nominated, along with “American Idol,” “Dancing With the Stars,” “Project Runway” and “Top Chef.” Six reality show hosts were nominated: “Race’s” Phil Keoghan, “Idol’s” Ryan Seacrest,” “Dancing’s” Tom Bergeron, “Runway’s” Heidi Klum, “Chef’s” Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio, and “Survivor’s” Jeff Probst. In the category of best reality program, nominations went to “Antiques Roadshow,” “Dirty Jobs,” “Dog Whisperer,” “Intervention,” “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List” and “MythBusters.” HBO was the leader among all networks, with 99 nominations. Among the broadcast networks, NBC earned 67 Emmy nominations, followed by ABC with 55.

Wow! A lot of surprises this year. As cool as it is that new programs are being recognized (much congrats goes out to Family Guy), I think the big story today is which shows/actors were not recognized (can you believe that Anna Paquin was NOT nominated for True Blood?). I, personally, thought Battlestar Galactica was worthy of a major award nomination this year but, alas, ’twasn’t so :( Click HERE to see a list of the major award nominations for the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Were YOUR faves nominated? Which shows/actors are YOU rooting for?

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]