Many in Orange County have voiced their opposition to a measure that would define marriage between one man and one woman as the only domestic union recognized in North Carolina — and UNC sophomore Rachel Kaplan wrote a musical about it.
“N.C. Amendment One: The Musical!,” which Kaplan wrote and produced to encourage N.C. residents to vote down the measure, will be performed Sunday at Carrboro Century Center.
Amendment One would define marriage between one man and one woman as the only domestic union recognized by the state.
The legislation is ratified by the N.C. General Assembly and will be up for popular “yes” or “no” vote during the May 8 primary elections.
Kaplan’s work will be performed as part of Orange County Human Relations Month Forum 2012, which is themed “Defining Marriage in North Carolina by Constitutional Amendment: What are the Implications?”
Ben Elling, a UNC sophomore who portrays George Washington in the performance, said using a theatrical format captures people’s attention and opens the door for interesting discussion on the topic.
“It’s such a unique way to protest the amendment and get the campus involved,” he said.
Kaplan said her play was inspired by “Prop 8: The Musical,” a video created in 2008 by a group of professionals and celebrities to oppose California’s Proposition 8, which aimed to ban gay marriage in the state.
After writing the play, Kaplan said she started looking for people to help develop the concept.