What Matthew meant

There’s something about documentary theater that makes actors happy, because there are so many roles and so many opportunities to inhabit the bodies of others. In Flying Monkey’s production of The Laramie Project, we see a lot of actors who must be very happy at the opportunity to stretch their muscles in so many ways. The story of the gay-bashing murder of Matthew Shepard and its effect on an entire town is told in the voices of the people who lived through it, and, under the direction of Ryan Warren, the youthful company does an amazing job. Of special note are performances by Shane Alan Bradley, who goes from skater dude to college professor to killer; and Will Finan, who is reassuring as a deputy and downright chilling as “God Hates Fags” preacher Fred Phelps. The lights and music cues could use a little work, but most of these young actors exhibit a range that would be the envy of their more experienced peers.

The Laramie Project, 8 p.m. Friday, 2:15 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. $12-$15. Flying Monkey Productions at the Geery Theater, 2130 L Street; www.flyingmonkeyproductions.org. Through May 2.