FROM A NEWS RELEASE
Special two hour audio documentary to feature an introduction by Barbara Walters and narration by Stockard Channing
'The Laramie Project, 10 Years Later - The Lasting Legacy of Matthew Shepard' produced by SIRIUS OutQ's Romaine Patterson, friend of Matthew Shepard
NEW YORK, NY - October 10, 2008 - SIRIUS XM Radio ( NASDAQ: SIRI ) will commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death with a special two hour audio documentary on the legacy of the play turned film The Laramie Project. The special will air Monday, October 13th at 8 pm ET on SIRIUS OutQ channel 109 -America's only 24/7 radio channel dedicated to the LGBT community.
The Laramie Project, 10 Years Later - The Lasting Legacy of Matthew Shepard was conceived and produced by Romaine Patterson, a friend of Matthew Shepard and co-host of Derek and Romaine on SIRIUS OutQ. The two-hour audio documentary is made up of a collection of interviews, including interviews with playwright Moises Kaufman and members of Tectonic Theater Company.
The special, fashioned in the same style as the play, features an introduction by legendary journalist and SIRIUS host Barbara Walters and is narrated by critically-acclaimed actress Stockard Channing. Channing won an Emmy® and a SAG award for her portrayal of Judy Shepard in the network film The Matthew Shepard Story.
The Laramie Project, an original play written by Moises Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project, draws on interviews with residents of the city of Laramie, Wyoming and published reports of townspeople and media reacting to the hate crimes committed against Matthew Shepard. The Laramie Project has since become one of the most highly produced plays in high schools, universities and community theaters across the country. It is often used as a tool to teach about prejudice and tolerance.
In the SIRIUS OutQ audio documentary, Kaufman and the members of the Tectonic Theater Company recount their roles in writing the play and share their thoughts on its lasting impact on the country. The special will feature conversations with directors and cast members from various film, university and high school productions, describing what the play has meant to them and how it was received in their communities.
In the 10 years since her friend's death, Romaine Patterson has dedicated her life to educating people about anti-gay hate crimes and issues in the LGBT community. In 2003 Romaine wrote her autobiography, 'The Whole World Was Watching, Living in the Light of Matthew Shepard.' She currently co-hosts The Derek and Romaine show on SIRIUS OutQ weeknights from 6 pm to 10 pm ET.
