It’s the play that gave voice to victims of homophobic violence and one man’s story – Matthew Shepard. The Laramie Project is back this month, with a sequel.

The Laramie Project became a phenomenon in the early 90s when it told the true story of the homophobic killing of University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard. Based on hundreds of interviews with residents from the town where Shepard was killed, it was also made into a feature film.

A new production that includes an interview with one of Shepard’s killers is opening across the United States on October 12. Playing in over 150 theatres, the revival of Matthew’s story and the first performances of the new work are eagerly anticipated.

When The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later opens this month, its New York premiere will feature remarks from actress Glenn Close, and Matthew’s mother, Judy Shepard. The new play will also feature an extended interview with one of Matthew Shephard’s killers.

“Well, he was overly friendly. And he was obviously gay,” says one of Matthew’s killers Aaron McKinney in the new play’s script. “That played a part … his weakness. His frailty. And he was dressed nice. Looked like he had money.”

After choosing Matthew Shepard as a target Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson offered him a lift in their car, before beating him and leaving him to die tied to a fence post on the outskirts of the town of Laramie. In the script, and in the interviews conducted, McKinney states that the crime was motivated by homophobia.

Greg Pierotti, the writer who interviewed McKinney says “McKinney’s perfectly comfortable acknowledging he doesn’t like gay people, and for me it was unnerving to experience his lack of remorse.”

According to Associated Press, Pierotti also asked McKinney if he thought he would ever be released from gaol. “Man, I’m never getting out of here,” McKinney is quoted as responding in the script. “I’m like the poster child for hate-crime murders. And you got to resign yourself to it or you go crazy.”

The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later will open on the 11th anniversary of Matthew’s death. He would now be 33.

Judy Shepard recently recorded an anti-hate crime campaign advertisement: